POLAR PLUNGE
Stormy 60mph gales and ‘four inches of rain’ to hit Britain this week before SNOW at Christmas
A 2,000 mile-wide 'North Pole plunge' threatens Christmas snow and travel woe – with five more freezes and -12C (10F) forecast this winter.
Storms with 60mph winds and up to four inches of rain will buffet Britain this week, hitting worst in the West.
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The Met Office forecast falling temperatures next week in the days leading up to Christmas, with snow possible even at low levels.
Low pressure from the Arctic brings the wet and windy winter, and could even cause a white Christmas for the UK.
Ex-BBC weatherman John Hammond said a mass of cold High Arctic air is set to seep towards Britain - with maps (below) showing it arriving as millions travel to see loved ones.
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It could spell trouble for those driving home for Christmas, as commuters have been warned to expect potential disruption on the roads.
13 million car trips will be taken from next Wednesday in the five-day festive travel window, the RAC said.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “Check the forecast before leaving and don't take chances in dangerous conditions.”
Bookmakers Ladbrokes cut white Christmas to 1-4 odds-on for snow anywhere in the UK on December 25.
Individual cities are 3/1 for Newcastle, 4/1 Manchester and 5/1 for London.
Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati said: “It's looking all white for many.”
Five more cold spells with snow are forecast this winter – with -12C due in January, said forecasters at The Weather Company, the world’s biggest commercial forecaster.
Snow fell in the South-East, Midlands, North and Scotland on December 4, with Scotland plummeting to -9.6C.
A Met Office forecaster said: “Monday will be windy, with heavy showers continuing on Tuesday and gales probable on Wednesday in the West.
“From Thursday to December 26 starts with windy conditions and potential coastal gales expected.
“Temperatures will probably trend downwards through the period. Wintry showers are most likely on higher ground, but there is a chance of snow temporarily to low levels.”
There is a chance of more settled conditions, mainly in the North and the East as we get closer to Christmas.
Temperatures will be slightly warmer than average throughout most of England, as Manchester and Birmingham are predicted to hit 5C on Thursday.
Leon Brown, head of meteorological operations at The Weather Company’s Weather Channel arm, said: “Around five more spells of below-average temperatures and snow are expected during the rest of winter.
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“Travel disruption is expected. There's a good chance of -12C in January in Scotland.”
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “Severe gales are quite possible into Wednesday from the South-West, with a deep area of low pressure possible.
“Slow-moving areas of wind and rain are due.”
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ODDS SLASHED ON WETTEST DECEMBER ON RECORD
Leading bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds on this December going on to be the wettest since records began to just evens now.
The odds have tumbled from 4-1 at the start of the month.
"We're going to have to endure some wet and wild weather in the build up to Christmas and such is the level of rain expected, we now make this December now just evens to be our wettest ever," said Coral's Harry Aitkenhead.
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With a December washout on the horizon, the odds of a White Christmas currently stand at 2-1 for Edinburgh, 4-1 for Manchester and 5-1 for London.
"We know they'll be plenty of rain, but all eyes will be on the skies for snow on Christmas Day. We make Edinburgh the most likely UK city to get a White Christmas, with Newcastle the most likely in England," added Aitkenhead.
Coral's weather specials
Evens - This December to be the wettest since records began
To get snow on Christmas Day: 2-1 Edinburgh, 3-1 Newcastle, 4-1 Belfast, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, 5-1 London, 6-1 Dublin
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