The West Country is anticipated to experience predominantly dry, stable, and mild weather during the Christmas period. Forecasts indicate no snow or ice, with temperatures expected to be notably above average from Christmas Eve onward. A high-pressure system will remain near the country for several days as December concludes, ensuring tranquil conditions across the area. Nevertheless, initial indications suggest that more unsettled, and potentially colder, weather could reappear around the New Year. The last instance of a widespread white Christmas occurred in 2010, when significant snow and ice covered the West Country and the nation throughout December. In contrast, this year’s holiday season will likely not meet the expectations of those hoping for colder temperatures and snow. Weather prediction computer models consistently indicate that a high-pressure system will develop, initially southwest and then south of the UK. This will lead to a very mild air mass moving eastward into the country late on Monday and continuing into Christmas Eve. Consequently, maximum temperatures from Christmas Eve through Boxing Day are projected to be between 10 and 12 Celsius in areas such as Yeovil, Bristol, Gloucester, and Swindon. Typically, daytime temperatures in December are around 7C or 8C. Some West Country areas might experience temperatures of 14C on Christmas Eve. The highest temperature ever recorded in England on Christmas Eve was 15.5C, observed in 1997 in Bude, Cornwall. Overnight temperatures during the Christmas period are also expected to be mild over the coming days, with no frost anticipated. Given the prevailing high-pressure system influencing the broader weather, the Christmas period is expected to be dry or largely dry. Nevertheless, a warm front is likely to bring widespread low cloud, mist, hill fog, and scattered light rain later on Monday and overnight into Christmas Eve morning. Despite this, dry spells will significantly outweigh any damp conditions throughout the festive season. While frequently cloudy, there is a possibility of brighter or sunnier intervals developing on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Apart from potential periods of mist and murk, no severe weather is forecast that could impede travel this week. Following the very windy weekend recently experienced, winds are fortunately projected to become considerably lighter throughout the Christmas period. However, there is a possibility of windier conditions returning around the New Year. Even with the timely calming of the weather for Christmas, the remainder of winter could still feature additional periods of disruptive rain, wind, or a combination of both. According to the meteorological calendar, which is used for year-to-year climate recording, winter in the Northern Hemisphere encompasses December, January, and February. Longer-range forecasts have indicated an increased likelihood of wetter and windier spells deeper into the season, particularly in February. It is important to note that these forecasts differ significantly from the daily predictions seen on television or accessed via applications. They are unable to specify the exact weather progression for any precise week or day at such extended timeframes. Instead, their purpose is to provide guidance to entities such as scientists, government contingency planners, or energy providers, regarding potential departures from seasonal norms and to suggest the overall types of broader weather patterns that may prevail across the British Isles. At a national level, this winter’s temperatures are generally anticipated to be somewhat above average. Similarly, both rainfall amounts and the frequency of windier spells are also projected to exceed seasonal norms. This, however, does not preclude the possibility of colder periods occurring during the rest of the winter. Following the mild Christmas, temperatures are expected to revert closer to average. Furthermore, some forecast modeling suggests the potential for colder air to develop around the New Year and into the first half of January, though this is not considered particularly unusual for that time of year. However, it is currently too soon to confidently predict the precise weather patterns for the New Year, including the specific temperatures that will dominate. Further updates will be provided. You can follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available. Post navigation Elderly Couple Extricated from Vehicle Submerged in Floodwater Goathland Resident Describes Power and Water Outages During Storm Darragh as “Isolating”