Christmas could prove especially miserable for some in 2023, as weather maps have captured a giant wall of rain wheeling towards the UK. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all within the range of a massive rainy system expected to make landfall over the weekend and tip out up to an inch of water.
Showers will surge across several dozen communities, with the Met Office warning of a “particularly wet” and “breezy” start to the week for many.
But the forecast for December 25 isn’t all doom and gloom, with a White Christmas on the cards.
The agency has said that while rain pounds much of the country, some isolated areas can expect snowy showers.
Precipitation maps issued by WXCharts show rain developing early in the morning on Christmas Day, with a system inbound from the east coast.
The rain will start as a trickle at first, with around 0.6mm per hour falling on Wales and in patches over the Midlands.
By the afternoon, the rain appears set to envelop most of the country, covering Wales and Scotland almost in their entirety and much of England, save for parts of the south and northeast coast.
The system appears set to cover nearly 650 miles, with rain from Cardiff to Durness.
Total accumulative precipitation will reach up to 56mm (two inches) in northern Wales, while other areas see generally less, an average of between 5mm and 21mm (0.20 to 0.8 inches).
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dave Hayter said: “It’ll be a particularly wet weekend in the north and west, with breezy conditions for many.
“While those further south will generally be drier, some sporadic showers could spread into the southwest at times, as well as some more persistent rain for Wales on Sunday.”
“Christmas Day will likely see a continuation of unsettled, mainly showery, weather in the northwest, including Northern Ireland. While the day may start damp in southern and central areas, that rain should clear into the English Channel through the evening.”
The Met Office has predicted that, while the rain pours over the south and west, snow is a possibility for those living in the north and Scotland.
The agency said a White Christmas is “likely”, with showers possible over high ground in the far north of Scotland.
Today:
Mostly mild, albeit windy. Rain affecting Northern Ireland, northern and eastern England and western Scotland. Drier and brighter to the southwest of this. Colder with some snow showers across northern and eastern Scotland.
Tonight:
Rain continuing across Scotland and parts of northern England, falling as snow for a time across northeast Scotland where it will be cold. Drier elsewhere though fairly cloudy and mild.
Saturday:
Cloudy for many with outbreaks of rain and drizzle for western upslopes. Further rain for Scotland, falling as snow for a time. Rain affecting Northern Ireland and northern England later.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Cloudy and blustery on Christmas Eve with rain and drizzle. Rain in the south Christmas Day, showery further north, before turning generally cooler with further rain on Boxing Day.
