Forecasters have issued a series of official warnings for parts of the UK on Christmas Day, with blustery conditions and a significant drop in temperatures posing risks to health and travel. The prospect of a white Christmas has been dismissed as highly unlikely.
Health and Weather Warnings in Force
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has activated a yellow cold health alert for the South West of England. This alert is active from 6pm on 25 December until midday on 27 December. It highlights a greater risk to life for vulnerable individuals and anticipates an increased demand on healthcare services during this period.
Concurrently, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind covering the South West and Wales. This warning is valid from 4am until midnight on Christmas Day. Forecasters predict wind speeds of 45-55mph widely, with gusts potentially reaching 65mph in exposed coastal areas.
Given the more unusual wind direction, this may lead to some disruption to transport and power supplies, a Met Office spokesperson said. They also cautioned that large waves would present an additional hazard along some coasts.
Event Cancellations and Travel Advice
The forecast for strong winds and rough seas has already forced the cancellation of several traditional Christmas swimming events. The annual Coverack swim in Cornwall has been postponed to New Year's Day for safety reasons. In Devon, organisers of the Start Bay Inn's Boxing Day swim described the decision to cancel as really sad, but necessary due to the dangerous conditions.
For those planning festive travel, the RAC has warned that the switch to colder weather could trigger a rise in vehicle breakdowns. They urge drivers to ensure their vehicles are road ready before setting off, advising checks on tyre condition and pressure, oil and coolant levels, and headlight alignment.
Travel disruption was already being felt on Christmas Eve, when an estimated 4.2 million car journeys were undertaken. A fatal collision on the London-bound M2 in Kent led to a prolonged closure, and a scheduled closure of the M27 between junctions 9 and 11 is in place from Christmas Eve until 4am on 4 January, affecting routes between Southampton and Portsmouth.
National Forecast and Outlook
Elsewhere in the country, temperatures are expected to remain subdued, peaking at around 7°C in the North East and 6°C in the South East of England. Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon confirmed that a white Christmas is highly unlikely this year, noting a very dry picture across the UK in the coming days.
Residents, particularly in the warned areas, are advised to stay updated on the latest forecasts, check on vulnerable neighbours, and plan journeys carefully to account for potential wind-related delays and hazards.
