Christmas Day weather chaos – maps show 1,000km storm with heavy snow and rain

Brits ought to be bracing for chaotic weather conditions on Christmas Day as advanced modelling maps show a 1,000km-wide storm is heading our way, bringing heavy snow and torrential rain.

Although forecasters expect the weather to warm up slightly this weekend and into the start of next week, conditions look likely to take an icy plunge thereafter.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Paul Gundersen said earlier this week that winds could switch "to more of a northwesterly direction" in the run up to December 25, creating a "risk of some wintry showers developing".

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It now appears the chance of snow extends to Christmas Day itself. Modelling maps from WX Charts show a beastly weather front moving across the country from the west at around midday.

The storm appears to cover the entire length of the UK – 1,000km. The snow is tracked to impact Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the north of England and the Midlands.

Flurries look to be most severe over higher ground in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. WX Charts' data suggests snow could be falling at a rate of around 5cm per hour in some parts.

Rain is expected to follow the snow and will also impact regions further south. Areas of reddish orange on the maps indicate rain falling at a rate of around 5mm per hour.

Most of the snow would have subsided by around 6pm on Christmas Day, only persisting in the north of Scotland. WX Charts' data suggests as much as 32cm could settle on the ground in the Scottish Highlands. In the north of England there will be around 5cm to 6cm.

Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden said earlier this week: "The risk of a true white Christmas will still primarily remain with parts to the north of the country, but some subtle changes between now and then could literally see this whole outlook changing significantly between now and then to deliver the chance of more widespread snow within the 24 hours of Christmas Day."

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