BRITS are in for wild weather as the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice across the UK and Scotland.
As wet and windy weather moves in from France, the stormy conditions are set to turn to snow over some parts of the country.
Forecasters warned to expect travel chaos today as up to four centimetres of the white stuff could fall in some spots, while those on higher ground could see up to ten centimetres.
With powerful 45mph winds, parts of England from the East Midlands to the North-East as well as Scotland are set to be the worst hit.
Read our weather live blog for the latest news and forecasts
- Louis Allwood
Latest Radar pictures
The Met Office have confirmed that the latest band of rain is clearing to the north and east as we progress into the afternoon.
It is turning drier further south and west.
- Louis Allwood
An ‘unsettled’ period
Frank Saunders, a chief meteorologist, said: “The Christmas period will be unsettled for much of the UK this year.
“Many will see wet and cloudy conditions as mild air dominates the south and west.
“This contrasts with the cold air in the northeast, which brings the chance of some snow, most likely over the Pennines and the southern half of Scotland, and is perhaps a little more likely into the early part of Boxing Day.
“Added to the mix is a strong easterly wind, especially in northern areas, which will make it feel particularly cold.”
- Louis Allwood
Chilly tonight in Cardiff
Any evening showers will ease to leave a dry night, though it will turn murky for many across the country.
Minimum temperature 1 °C.
- Louis Allwood
Boxing day evening weather for London
It should become mostly dry overnight but in light winds there will be extensive areas of low cloud, giving mist and fog in places.
Minimum temperature 6 °C.
- Milica Cosic
Why won't my car start in the cold?
Not unlike humans needing layers of clothes to brave low temperatures, cars also need a little preparation to get going.
When cars won't start, it's often because their engine oil has thickened in the cold, which increases friction and makes it harder for the starter motor to spin the engine.
Cold, damp weather can sometimes play havoc on batteries as vehicle electrical systems have to work a lot harder.
The RAC says the majority of their winter call-outs are to do with car batteries.
- Milica Cosic
ALWAYS check your battery before heading off
With harsh weather conditions and snow in many parts of the country, this may be hard on your battery and the electrical system.
On a cold day, the engine in a car takes more effort to “turn over”, which puts extra strain on the battery and the starter motor.
What’s more, cold weather significantly affects how much electricity your battery can send out to the starter motor in the first place.
If you’ve noticed your car sounding reluctant to start in summer and autumn, consider buying a new battery now – before the car refuses to turn over on a frosty morning when you’re late for work.
You can buy a car battery and fit it at home, but most stockists will fit it for you. They might also check the “health” of your existing battery and tell you if it needs to be replaced.
- Milica Cosic
Clean your windows and lights before driving in the snow
Every glass panel used to see from and even your head and tail lights need to be scrubbed of ice and condensation to ensure you are within the law.
The RAC says: "The Highway Code stipulates that if driving in adverse weather conditions you must, by law, be able to see out of every glass panel in your vehicle.
"This is supported by the section 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988, meaning it is a legal requirement to have a clear view of the road ahead before you set off.
"Failure to do so could incur a fine, but more importantly could place your life, the lives of your passengers and the lives of those around you in danger.
"This also means ensuring your windscreen is de-iced on the outside and thoroughly demisted on the inside."
- Milica Cosic
Today's weather
If you're going out for a Boxing Day stroll, make sure you check the forecast before you head off.
Here's the forecast:
- Cloudy skies for most
- Some sunny spells in the southwest
- Rain and hill snow moving north and east
- Mild in the south, cold in the north
- Windy in Scotland
Long range forecast for Boxing Day – January 2
Low pressure likely to continue to be positioned to the south of the UK, and high pressure further north.
This results in a boundary between colder air to the north and milder air in the south.
Unsettled weather results, with increased cloud amounts, occasional rain and some stronger winds, fluctuating north to south through the initial period. Rain may turn wintry at times on the northern edge, most likely across central and northern areas, and mainly over higher ground.
Milder temperatures more likely in the south, with brighter colder conditions in the north with some wintry showers.
Settled conditions look likely to return towards the end of December into the New Year with temperatures likely rather cold and the potential for overnight frost and an increasing risk of fog.
- Milica Cosic
Ten tips for driving safely in fog
These helpful 10 tips will help you stay safe when driving in fog.
- Plan your journey
- Know your symbols
- Know the law
- Turn on your dipped beams
- Slow down
- Keep your distance
- Don’t use another car’s lights to help you navigate
- Clear your windows
- Don’t get confused
- Use your ears
Wildlife hit by wild weather
Wildlife was hit by storms, rainfall and wildfires in parts of the UK in 2021, in what is the "new normal" due to climate change, the National Trust said.
The past year has been punctuated by extreme events and sometimes unseasonal conditions, from dry spring weather that prompted fires to Storm Arwen which brought down thousands of trees across the UK.
The National Trust's annual review of wildlife and weather for the year highlights how climate change is affecting landscapes and nature.
Ben McCarthy, head of nature conservation and restoration ecology at the National Trust, said: "Climate change is making some forms of extreme weather events the new normal.
"Heatwaves and heavy rainfall are becoming more frequent and more intense.
"What we're seeing in the UK with the impacts of wildfires and severe storms such as Arwen and Barra, is how climate change is altering our landscapes forever. "
Pictured: Xmas Day weather
THOUSANDS of Brits dreaming of a White Christmas have seen their wish come true as up to four inches of snow has fallen in places.
Many families have woken up to an extra sprinkle of festive magic this morning with even more snow due on Boxing Day and beyond.
UK weather outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday
A largely sunny day tomorrow in Wales and southern England, but with the risk of the odd spot of drizzle.
It will be unsettled further north with showers or longer spells of rain, often heavy.
A breezy day on Wednesday with heavy rain and showers for all, clearing towards the north-east overnight.
Tomorrow's weather
Early patches of mist will be slow to clear.
Outbreaks of rain and drizzle expected in southern parts of England and Wales through much of the day.
It will be largely dry elsewhere, but there is the risk of the odd light shower or spot of drizzle in northern England and western parts of Scotland.
Tonight’s weather
By midnight, it is going to be cloudy and misty for all, with fog and outbreaks of rain and drizzle across Scotland.
Becoming drier in Scotland as the night goes on, with cloud and mist lingering elsewhere.
Spells of rain will push northwards into southern England and Wales by the early morning.
- Milica Cosic
'Bitingly' cold today
Anyone travelling cross-country for festive get-togethers is urged to take extra care on the roads.
Boxing Day will be "bitingly" cold as strong winds set in – despite highs of 6C in Scotland, 7C in Northern Ireland, 9C in Wales and 11C in England.
And weather maps show yet more snow is on the way from December 27, meaning a truly wintry festive period.
Half an inch will fall on Monday, rising to three on December 29 and 2.5 through to New Year's Eve, according to WXCharts.
- Milica Cosic
Challenging travel conditions today
According to the forecasters, strong gusts on Boxing Day could bring challenging travel conditions across upland areas.
There has also been a warning of blizzard-like conditions above 300-400 metre elevation.
Temperatures are forecast to plunge as low as a freezing -2C in parts of the north and east of England between Christmas Day and December 28.
- Milica Cosic
Warning of huge storm to lash Britain TODAY
The Boxing Day weather will come as a washout for many after thousands woke up to a white Christmas today.
Tony Zartman, Accuweather meteorologist, said the southern coast of England could be hit by more stormy conditions from tomorrow.
He told Express.co.uk: “A storm will pass by to the south across France on Boxing Day.
"This may bring some rain as far north as the southern coast of England.
“But, much of the remainder of England and Wales are expected to be dry at this point.”
- Milica Cosic
Explained: Claiming compensation if gas or electricity is cut off because of snow
Households who have power cut off due to the snow could be due compensation from firms.
How much you can claim depends on how long the disruption lasts – and how severe the weather is.
According to Citizens Advice, if a power cut is caused by bad weather, you’ll be entitled to £70 compensation if you’re without power for 24 hours, with another £70 paid for each of the following 12 hours up to a maximum cap of £700.
In really bad weather, the time-limit is 48 hours before compensation kicks-in – a severe storm is defined by regulator Ofgem as causing more than 12 times the average daily number of faults.
Energy expert and ex-British Gas worker Lynsey Jones shares her tips for savings on bills.
- Milica Cosic
Up to £25 a week thanks to cold weather payments
If temperatures plummet below zero that could trigger a payment of £25 automatically.
Cold weather payments are made if it hits freezing between November 1 and March 31, to help you pay for the increased energy costs.
The temperature will have to stay that low for seven consecutive days before the cash is handed out.
So far the payment has not been triggered anywhere because the weather hasn’t gotten that cold – yet.
There’s still time for it to happen as the scheme doesn’t close for another month – it could be more likely that it will happen in January or early February though.
You can check if the payment applies to you using the government’s postcode checker any time between now and the spring.
You must already be getting certain benefits to qualify, including pension credit, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, and Universal Credit.
You won’t qualify if you are in a care home or subject to immigration control.
You don’t need to apply for the extra payment – it’s paid automatically into your bank or building society account within 14 days of the cold spell ending.
- Milica Cosic
Boxing Day weather forecast
A cloudy start for most tomorrow with rain and drizzle for some, turning wintry over higher ground, especially in Scotland.
Remaining dull for most in the afternoon.
A drier afternoon to the south with bright spells for south-western England.
Gentle easterly winds, stronger for Scotland
- Milica Cosic
UK weather outlook for Monday and Tuesday
A largely dry but dull, misty day on Monday. Some early morning showers for Scotland with the odd spots of drizzle throughout the day for southern England. Light winds.
Persistent rain for much of northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Tuesday. Bright spells for Wales and the south-west.
- Milica Cosic
Snow today, snow tomorrow
BRITS, brace yourselves as the Met Office has issued warnings for ice and a -2C chill this Christmas.
Temperatures are forecast to plunge as low as a freezing -2C in parts of the north and east of England between Christmas Day and December 28.
Two yellow snow warnings has been issued for some upland areas starting from midnight Sunday to midday.
Boxing Day will be "bitingly" cold as strong winds set in – despite highs of 6C in Scotland, 7C in Northern Ireland, 9C in Wales and 11C in England.
The Met Office has said that strong gusts on Boxing Day could bring challenging travel conditions across upland areas, so be careful if you need to drive.
Weather maps show also shows more snow is on the way from December 27, meaning a truly wintry festive period. It will continue until January 2 when warmer air will turn snowfall into rain.
- Milica Cosic
Why won't my car start in the cold?
Not unlike humans needing layers of clothes to brave low temperatures, cars also need a little preparation to get going.
When cars won't start, it's often because their engine oil has thickened in the cold, which increases friction and makes it harder for the starter motor to spin the engine.
Cold, damp weather can sometimes play havoc on batteries as vehicle electrical systems have to work a lot harder.
The RAC says the majority of their winter call-outs are to do with car batteries.
- Milica Cosic
28th December to 6th January outlook
This period remains somewhat uncertain in detail, but generally sees a split between colder air to the north and milder air to the south.
Looking to remain unsettled with further spells of rain for most at first. To the south, mild, unsettled weather, with rain and occasional strong winds.
To the north, more settled conditions with brighter spells and winds slowly easing to lead to perhaps some frost or ice.
Becoming very mild across all areas in time. Along the boundary, potential for significant weather with snow likely at times, in addition to the associated wintry hazards.
It will be colder than average heading into January with any unsettled, milder spells most likely for the west and south.
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