The north of Scotland is set for a white Wednesday (December 7) this week, the Met Office has said.
The national weather service has issued a Status Yellow snow warning from midnight on Tuesday (December 6) to midnight on Wednesday.
It applies to Fort William, Pitlochry, Brechin and Inverbervie upwards to and including the Shetland Islands.
Some roads and railways may be affected in the areas under the warning zone.
There is also a possibility of snow showers across parts of Northern Ireland and northeast England. Sunny spells can be expected elsewhere, the Met Office has said.
It is expected to remain cold on Friday (December 9), with occasional showers especially in the north near the coasts, these likely falling as sleet or snow. However, many inland areas – especially in the south – will remain dry.
Hottest year on record
In order to avoid 2022 being the warmest year on record, the UK would need near-record cold weather this December, according to Met Office statistics.
Provisional figures from the Met Office show that autumn 2022 (September, October, November) was the third warmest on record for the UK, with an average mean temperature of 11.1°.
“Although it’s too early to guarantee that 2022 will be the UK’s warmest year, the first 11 months have set up the distinct possibility of a record-breaking warm year, with only a very cold December able to potentially influence where the year will eventually sit in the record books,” Mike Kendon of the National Climate Information Centre said.
While autumn 2022 also had above-average rainfall for many, and dry soils have been replenished, there has been a delay in the recharge of groundwater and reservoirs in some parts, according to Environment Agency executive director for environment and business, John Leyland.
“Reservoirs are on average around 73% capacity but some are still well below the levels we would expect at this time of year,” Leyland said.
“We cannot rely on the weather alone – if we are to avoid a worse drought next year, it will require action by us all.
“All sectors have to play a role in supporting the actions needed to avoid the impacts of drought on water supply and the environment next year, and everyone should use water wisely to continue to reduce water consumption.”
