Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Snowy scenes captured around the country as UK sees White Christmas

Several areas saw snow settle before sunrise

Liam James
Saturday 26 December 2020 12:05 EST
Comments
Weather forecast as Storm Bella approaches

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Snowfall was spotted in areas of England from Suffolk up to Northumberland on Christmas Day, leaving some areas blanketed as the sun rose.

The Met Office officialy declared a White Christmas after reports of snow in Leconfield in Humberside around 5am, with Wattisham in Suffolk reporting snow at the same time.

Pictures shared from around the country charted the wintry weather from when snow first fell in the early morning to when families set out to make the most of the day.

Traditionally, a White Christmas was counted only if snow fell on the Met Office headquarters in London but now snowfall anywhere in the UK would lead to a declaration.

The last White Christmas came in 2017 when 11 per cent of weather stations around the country recorded snowfall. 

However, the last time a majority of the country saw White Christmas was in 2010, when snow was recorded on the ground at 83 per cent of UK weather stations.

On Christmas morning, other parts of the country were flooded after heavy rainfall and more than 1,300 people living along the River Ouse in Bedfordshire were advised to leave their homes.

Elsewhere in the UK, weather was crisp and dry throughout the day ahead of the arrival of Storm Bella on Boxing Day.

“Danger to life” warnings and dozens of flood alerts were issued across the UK in anticipation of severe gales and heavy downpours as the storm sweeps in from the west.

Gusts of up to 80mph in exposed parts of the south and southwest are expected overnight on Boxing Day, while some higher parts of the country are likely to see 40-60mm of rainfall.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in