![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/NINTCHDBPICT000786468007.jpg\")
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/first-snow-showers-winter-arrive-862354957.jpg\")
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/first-snow-showers-winter-arrive-862331037.jpg\")
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/2023-london-united-kingdom-london-862112871-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTHE Met Office has released an early verdict on a white Christmas as the first snow flurries hit this morning.<\/p>\n
Brits have already been facing chilly weather, with the temperatures plummeting in recent days.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
The Met Office previously warned a cold snap is expected to hit the country this week, bringing sub-zero temperatures across the UK.<\/p>\n
Now, meteorologists have given a clue as to what the weather may be like on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n
The Met Office's long range forecast covers dates from December 11 to December 25.<\/p>\n
Temperatures are likely to be at or above average on Christmas day so the chances of snow on Christmas seem low, say the Met Office.<\/p>\n
But forecasters warmed there could be spells of cold weather and "associated wintry hazards" meaning it's not been completely ruled out.<\/p>\n And as it is only a long-range forecast, this prediction is subject to change with Christmas being a month away.<\/p>\n It comes as as the first snow showers of winter arrived in County Durham this morning.<\/p>\n Arctic winds in Scotland also saw motorists battling through icy conditions.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n And there are reports that the white stuff is currently falling – but not settling – on higher ground in the Staffordshire Moorlands.<\/p>\n A fresh\u00a0weather\u00a0forecast from the Met Office says "colder air is feeding from the north across many parts of the UK", which could bring wintry showers.<\/p>\n "These may bring some\u00a0snow\u00a0and ice impacts in the coming days," the forecast continues.<\/p>\n While the forecast is uncertain, there is also a possibility of snow falling across central and southern England.<\/p>\n Later this week the North of England could see these conditions from Wednesday – before an area of low pressure arrives from the South West on Thursday.<\/p>\n The Met Office said there may be hill snow on Thursday in Scotland and Wales.<\/p>\n Up to 5cm of\u00a0snow\u00a0could fall in parts of Wales and northwest England over higher ground, forecasters said – with smaller amounts possible at lower levels too.<\/p>\n Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said snow showers are expected on the North Sea coast, including Scotland and the north east of England, from Wednesday and heading into the weekend.<\/p>\n "There will be snow showers but we are not likely to see significant accumulation on the ground," he said.<\/p>\n The rest of the UK will see frosty weather from Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to dip as low as minus eight degrees Celsius in sheltered hills and glens in Scotland.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, parts of rural eastern England could see temperatures as low as minus five.<\/p>\n "We could see some snow moving into southeastern parts of the UK towards the end of the week, including Hampshire," he said.<\/p>\n "However, it may also remain dry."<\/p>\n Mr Claydon advised the public to check the weather before travelling.<\/p>\n Temperatures are expected to remain above freezing on Monday, reaching only 5C or 6C for most parts but will become more pleasant in the west and south west around 12C.<\/p>\n The weather will turn sunny for many places with restricted showers near the coasts that could potentially move inland.<\/p>\n But the sky will brighten up on Tuesday and Wednesday, before the rain returns on Thursday.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, the whole week is predicted to be cold, with frost settling every night.<\/p>\n There are no\u00a0weather warnings\u00a0in place for this week.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/50-per-image-50-per-862161871.jpg\")
<\/picture>BIN BETTER <\/span><\/p>\nOur picturesque street puts out 13 bins… the road is littered with trash<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-1375.png\")
<\/picture>DEATH SMASH <\/span><\/p>\nHorror crash leaves women, 82 & 76, dead and three men injured<\/h3>\n
Most read in The Sun<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/JW_GRACE_DENT_QUITS_V4_COMP.jpg\")
<\/picture>GRACE SPENT <\/span><\/p>\nGrace Dent QUITS I’m A Celeb ‘on medical grounds’ as fans spot moment she broke<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-en6xnkgng-1701035825569.jpg\")
<\/picture>ROSE WHINE <\/span><\/p>\nI’m A Celeb in ‘sexism’ row as Nella Rose slammed over ‘toxic’ views about men<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-1391.png\")
<\/picture>WALTZ OFF <\/span><\/p>\nStrictly fans left baffled as ‘editing blunder’ is exposed during results show<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-pehllqp9z-1701025738753.jpg\")
<\/picture>FOUND SAFE <\/span><\/p>\nGirl, 9, who vanished while walking a puppy has been ‘found safe and well’<\/h3>\n