Will the North East get snow in December? Met Office verdict as temperatures drop

Parts of the UK are bracing for a 60-hour snow onslaught in the coming days, with an 'Arctic blast' potentially on the horizon. Weather maps suggest that snow will begin to blanket parts of western Scotland from midday on December 9, spreading to Northern Ireland, mid Wales and areas of Cumbria and Lancashire by midnight on December 10.

By midnight on December 11, the snow is expected to have retreated, leaving a large portion of western Scotland covered, according to the latest weather maps generated on Wednesday (November 27) by WX Charts using Metdesk data. If these predictions hold true, the snow should have largely cleared from the whole of the UK by 6am on December 11.

Netweather's December forecast indicates that the weather will become more unsettled with westerly winds and the potential for a mid-Atlantic ridge to form, increasing the chances of an Arctic blast, particularly in northern parts of the UK. The forecast adds: "This means that there could be snow for some, particularly on high ground and in the north. Overall, the weather during this period is expected to be more unsettled, but not particularly wet, with high pressure often quite close to the south and/or west of the British Isles."

However, the Met Office's long range forecast for December 1 to December 10 doesn't mention snow at all, predicting an unsettled start to the period with showers or longer spells of rain across much of the UK.

The Met Office has indicated that windy conditions are expected, particularly in the north and west of the UK. While the weather will be milder, strong gusts could leave residents feeling "rather cold", reports the Express.

Forecasters at the Met Office have predicted: "High pressure then looks like building close to or over the UK through early December. This will result in drier but also probably generally slightly cooler conditions, and increase the risk of overnight frost and fog."

Brits are told to expect mostly dry conditions punctuated by brief periods of unsettled and milder weather as low-pressure systems move across, causing winds and rainfall for some regions. Despite temperatures being around average, any persistent fog could make it feel significantly colder.

Will it snow in the North East?

According to the Met Office, the North East can expect mostly dry and frosty weather at the end of November and beginning of December. They say there will be plenty of sunshine, with temperatures unseasonably high at the start of December.

As the month rolls on, the Met Office say "low pressure will continue to bring rain and showers for many". However any wet and windy weather will ease as a ridge of high pressure.

Towards mid-December, there are signs that the weather will become less settled again, bringing some wetter and windier spells with a risk of some snow, especially across northern hills. According to the Met Office, these conditions may continue into late December, "although drier, more settled spells may also affect the UK at times".

Temperatures are expected to be close to average through the period, or slightly above in areas which are wet and windy.