Met Office warns England could face 'five days of snow' before Christmas

The Met Office has warned that the UK could face "five days worth" of snow before the New Year. As we approach Christmas, new weather maps and charts from WX Charts reveal that the country is set to shiver in sub-zero temperatures due to a potential Polar or Arctic blast of -3C temperatures.

The Met Office has issued its forecast for the final two weeks of December, with WX Charts, which uses Met Desk data, indicating that snow could hit on December 20, December 21, December 23, Boxing Day, and into the period between Christmas and New Year's Eve. From Saturday, December 21 to Monday, December 30, the Met Office predicts "changeable conditions with further spells of wet and windy weather", with drier and brighter conditions mixed in.

The weather bureau continued: "The wettest and windiest conditions will probably be in the north, especially the northwest, with spells of heavy rain at times as low pressure systems pass by."

"Further south, whilst some unsettled weather is likely at times, it will probably be drier overall with a greater influence of high pressure meaning frontal zones tend to weaken as the come south."

It added that temperatures will be above average for much of the time, although "colder interludes remain possible", reports Birmingham Live.

Snow or flurries of the white stuff will be limited and accumulate only on higher ground or at elevated levels. The Met Office reckons "some snow is possible" from Tuesday December 31 to Tuesday, January 14, with changeable conditions continuing with "spells of wet and windy weather interspersed with some drier, more settled interludes".

It stated: "The heaviest rain and strongest winds will generally be in the north, with the south drier and less windy overall. Temperatures will likely vary around average, but with a trend toward milder conditions favoured, especially in the south.

"Some snow is possible during any colder interludes, especially over high ground in the north."