UK weather: New Year travel chaos to ensue as Met Office warns ‘risk of gales’ and snow

Only one part of the Scottish Highlands will have their White Christmas dreams come true this year as most of the UK sits comfortably in tepid double digits.

However, looking forward to the New Year, weather forecasters have predicted strong winds could bring disruption.

According to the Met Office long-range forecast for the period covering December 29 to Jan 7, there could be patches of snow.

“It is likely to remain unsettled for the final few days of 2023, with showers or longer spells of rain affecting many parts of the UK.

“Some snow is possible at times, but this will probably be confined to high ground in the north.

“Strong winds are likely in places, especially along coastal stretches where there is a risk of gales.

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“Temperatures will probably be close to normal for the time of year on the whole, with the greatest risk of cold conditions in the north.

“Through the first week of January, a similar pattern is most likely, with further showers or spells of rain, perhaps with some drier and brighter interludes at times.

“Temperatures will likely be close to average.”

Looking even further ahead to the period covering January 8 to January 22, the Met Office has said that there is a risk of snow, but that as high pressure begins to set in from the middle of next month, cold conditions will creep in.

“It is most likely to be unsettled at the start of this period with showers or some longer spells of rain affecting the UK,” the Met Office forecast warned.

“Some snow is possible in places, especially higher ground in the north.

“From the middle of January onward, conditions will probably turn drier and more settled as high pressure starts to have a greater influence.

“This also means an increased risk of more prolonged and widespread cold conditions.