The UK’s Christmas week weather is likely to be “changeable and unsettled” – with the possibility of snow falling in some parts, forecasters have said.
It comes as motoring experts have warned drivers to stay away from major roads during periods of Friday and Saturday to avoid the worst of the festive holiday traffic.
The Met Office has said the “wettest and windiest conditions” are expected in northern parts of the UK during the Christmas period, with some spells of heavy rain.
In its long range forecast covering the period of 20 to 29 December, it says the weather is likely to “remain changeable”.
But it added: “Snow will most likely be restricted to high ground, although could temporarily fall at lower levels in the North during any colder interludes.”
Sky News weather producer Christopher England said it was still too early to give precise details about the festive conditions.
He said: “The weather over the Christmas week is looking quite unsettled, with spells of wind and rain, particularly in the North, but high pressure nearby will limit the rain in the South.
“Temperatures will probably vary around the monthly average.
“It’s much too early to give any detail, but it looks like any snow will be largely restricted to the mountains – and perhaps to low levels in the North during any colder spells.”
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It comes as motorists are being warned of the busiest times on the UK’s roads in the countdown to Christmas.
The RAC and transport analytics company Inrix said roads were likely to be busiest between 1pm and 7pm on Friday and Saturday.
Hotspots where queues are expected include the M3 between its junction with the M25 and the south coast, the M25 anticlockwise between its junctions with the M1 and the M23, and the M53 from Chester to Liverpool.
The RAC said a survey suggested three million leisure trips by car were planned for Friday, rising to 3.7 million for Saturday.
Getaway traffic is expected to peak on Christmas Eve, with 3.8 million journeys.
An estimated total of 29.3 million festive journeys will be made between Wednesday and Christmas Eve, which is the most since the RAC began recording the data in 2013.
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RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Our research suggests that with Christmas falling on a Wednesday this year, many drivers will be squeezing in their getaway trips right up until the big day itself.
“While the getaway starts to ramp up from Friday, snarl-up Saturday looks particularly challenging, as does Christmas Eve.
“Travelling outside peak hours might be the only way drivers miss the worst of the jams.”
National Highways said more than 95% of roadworks on its network of England’s motorways and major A roads will be lifted from 6am on Friday and will not be reinstated until 2 January.
