Weather: No snow as chilly but dry conditions is expected for Northern Ireland on Christmas Day
Northern Ireland is set to have dry and bright conditions on Christmas Day as the countdown to Santa’s arrival is well and truly on.
The Met Office has forecasted that the highest temperature in Northern Ireland could be around the 5 or 6°C figure as families come together to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Simon Partridge, operational meteorologist at the weather and climate service, explained: “It is set to be a cold start to Christmas Day morning for Northern Ireland.
"The countryside could see temperatures reach as low as -2°C, with around 3 or 4°C in towns and cities. Therefore, we would urge some caution as there could be some frost in the morning.
"As the day progresses, it is set to be a dry one with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. It’ll be bright but it won’t necessarily be wall-to-wall sunshine.
"Those who live in the north coast are likely set to get the best of the sunny weather.
“The winds won’t be too bad. They are set to be light to moderate.
"The temperatures won’t be anything amazing...you’re looking at around 5 or 6°C, so if you’re out for a stroll, it’s going to be perfect.”
There is also good news for those on Boxing Day who wish to avail of the sales, go to local sporting events, or spend time outdoors with family.
Mr Partridge added: “Overnight into Boxing Day is also set to be chilly and temperatures are looking like 2-4°C in towns and cities, as well as -2°C in the countryside.
“After a cloudy start, Boxing Day is set to be a sunny day throughout Northern Ireland, with light easterly winds.
"The temperatures will be quite similar to Christmas Day.”
Meanwhile, a cold health alert has been issued for Christmas Day in south-west England, as forecasters said the prospect of a white Christmas was “highly unlikely”.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued the yellow cold health alert from 6pm on Christmas Day to 12pm on December 27.
The agency said low temperatures are likely to have minor impacts on health and social care services including “increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people” and a “greater risk to life of vulnerable people”.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind affecting the south west of England and much of Wales from 4am to 11.59pm on Christmas Day.
The weather service said east to north-easterly winds will become particularly strong and gusty during Christmas Day, with peak gusts fairly widely of 45-55mph, but 55-65mph possible along some exposed coasts and to the west of prominent hills.
It added that “given the more unusual wind direction, this may lead to some disruption to transport and power supplies” and that “large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts”.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said it was “highly unlikely” that the UK would see a white Christmas this year.
He added: “We’ve got a very dry picture across the UK over the next few days.
“The only vague possibility is there’s a little band of rain that’s skirting westwards across the Channel through tomorrow and there’s an outside chance it could clip the south-west of England.
“The chances of any snow falling out of that are very low.”