Baby it’s WARM outside! Temperatures in the South West set to hit 13C today – compared to the average 7C for this time of year – after UK recorded unseasonable highs of 14.7C in the Highlands and 12C in London
- Britain is enjoying unseasonably mild weather this week with 13C highs today
- But Scotland has suffered heavy rain with 162.2mm (6.4in) falling in 48 hours
Britain will continue to enjoy unseasonably mild weather this week with highs of 13C (55F) today – although flood alerts and warnings remain active for many areas.
People are flocking outdoors to make the most of the sunshine and temperatures which are about 6C above the UK average maximum of 7C (45F) for the time of year.
But 58 flood alerts and 12 warnings were still in place for England today – and three weeks’ worth of rain hit Scotland over the weekend, cancelling trains and ferries.
Up to 162.2mm (6.4in) of rain fell at Achnagart in 48 hours – compared to the average December total for Ross and Cromarty area of the Highlands of 234.9mm (9.3in).
The Met Office issued an amber warning, CalMac axed ferry crossings on several of its routes and ScotRail cancelled trains between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh.
Flooded fields at St Ives in Cambridgeshire yesterday as the flooding risk continues for Britain
People enjoy the mild weather at Wimbledon Common in South West London yesterday
A sunny day by the River Thames at Wallingford in Oxfordshire yesterday
People walk along Waterloo Bridge past the City of London skyline in the capital yesterday
But Scotland also saw very mild temperatures yesterday with 14.7C (58.5F) recorded at Tain, compared to the normal average for the Highland area of 6.6C (43.4F).
Met Office long-range Christmas forecast
Here is the Met Office forecast for the next month in Britain, covering the Christmas and New Year period:
December 22 to 31
‘Unsettled with milder, mobile spells of wind and rain, and briefer colder interludes most likely. Initially, for the north, showers, heavy in places and wintry to low levels, with drier and brighter conditions further south. Lingering strong winds should ease early in the period. Milder conditions, likely returning for a time over the weekend. By the Christmas period, a chance of a colder, showery interlude with northerly winds potentially bringing some snowfall, mainly across hills in the north. However, this colder interlude could be short-lived, and may not reach the far south before a milder Atlantic, westerly flow, becomes re-established. This pattern most probable towards New Year’s Eve, with the majority of cloud and rain likely across the west, and drier and brighter conditions more probable in the east.’
January 1 to 15
‘Most likely continuing unsettled with bands of rain crossing the UK with brighter conditions and showers in between.The wettest and windiest conditions are most likely in the north and west. Short-lived colder spells remain possible, with hazards such as snow and ice, particularly in the north. The chance of these colder spells slightly increases moving through January, with a low likelihood of a more prolonged spell of cold weather developing around mid-month.’
The Met Office said the wet weather is set to continue this week especially in Scotland, with showers turning to sleet and snow by the end of the week, while alerts over high winds are also expected.
Meteorologist Marco Petagna said: ‘Some of the showers could turn wintry on the hills.
‘Looking ahead to Thursday and Friday there are potentially gusts of 50 and 60mph inland and 70mph in some exposed spots, so there may well be warnings later in the week.’
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued flood alerts in Argyll and Bute; Caithness and Sutherland; Easter Ross and Great Glen; Skye and Lochaber; and Wester Ross.
Today began with rain for northern England, southern Scotland and Wales, although it was a mostly dry and cloudy start in other areas.
There will be bright spells later on for Scotland and Northern Ireland but cloud will persist in other areas with a few spells of rain, particularly to the west.
Temperatures are expected to peak at 13C (55F) in the South West today but most of the rest of Britain should stay at double figures throughout the day and night.
Tonight will see light rain persisting in parts of Wales, Northern Ireland and Northern Scotland – and from midnight, this area of rain will become heavy, and creep across into England.
Accompanying this will be moderate south-westerly winds, which will be strongest along the south coast of England.
Heavy rain is then forecast across the UK tomorrow morning, turning to sleet or even snow in the Highlands.
This rain is expected to heaviest over southern England – and, while most of it will clear by the afternoon, widespread cloud will remain.
Temperatures are expected to peak at 12C (54F) tomorrow.
Wednesday will start with heavy rain over Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland, and rain could again fall as snow or sleet in Scotland.
Moderate winds will be felt across the UK, which will be strongest over Northern England and Scotland.
The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts (in amber) and warnings (in red) for England
Looking ahead to Christmas Day, which is now just one week away, the Met Office said in its long-range forecast: ‘By the Christmas period, a chance of a colder, showery interlude with northerly winds potentially bringing some snowfall, mainly across hills in the north.
‘However, this colder interlude could be short-lived, and may not reach the far south before a milder Atlantic, westerly flow, becomes re-established.
‘This pattern most probable towards New Year’s Eve, with the majority of cloud and rain likely across the west, and drier and brighter conditions more probable in the east.’
Meanwhile, with more heavy rain forecast along with the potential for flooded roads, the AA is advising motorists to plan ahead before making any long-distance festive journeys.
Around 52 per cent of people plan to visit friends and family by car at Christmas and the AA said: ‘Breaking down in an unfamiliar location can be a daunting experience.’
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