Christmas 2004 - will it, or wont it be white?
by Susan Powell
With just five days left until the big day - what are the weather prospects for the UK?
Are you dreaming away with Irving Berlin? Christmas 2001 was the last time your snowy dreams came true and 1995 the last time we opened the curtains on the big day to significant ground cover.
Christmas 2004 is certainly keeping us forecasters on our toes! The weather in the next few days looks set to remain very unsettled.
After the chilly start to the week, with a dusting of the white stuff for parts Scotland, Wales, Northern England and the Midlands today it is set to turn much milder, wet and windy midweek.
Don't, however, be deceived! Later in the week a plunge of cold air is set to sweep southwards across the UK bringing the prospect of snow and ice for many during the holiday period!
It is still a little too early to give exact details of the forecast but there is certainly the potential for severe weather during Christmas - with the risk disruption to travel. If you are planning a journey you are well advised to keep in touch with the latest forecast.
Meanwhile, around the globe some have been making a head start with the festive flavour...
The Middle East began the weekend with a shiver. The temperature in a number of areas on Friday night dropped below an over fifty-year low for the time of year. The Golan Heights recorded -10C (14F), the previous record here was -13C recorded on the 7th February 1950.
Northeast China's Liaoning province has been plagued with heavy snow since Saturday night. Airports and roads ground to halt as the heaviest snow of this winter began to fall, interrupting a long mild spell. More wintry weather is expected for the start of the week.
France and Germany were swept by their worst winter storm in five years on Friday night. 100mph winds swept across northwest France Friday evening tearing off roofs and leaving over 400,000 homes without power. As the low pressure area responsible then pulled away southeastwards across Germany the winds continued their trail of destruction, only to then be accompanied by additional treachery from snow and ice.
The USA certainly hasn't escaped the action either. A very active weather system followed by a plunge of cold air made its way down the eastern seaboard on Sunday. Many states in it's path saw a dusting of the white stuff but northwest Indiana was one of the areas worst hit with over 40cm snow in a matter of hours. The cold has even reached as far south as Florida with West Palm Beach even warning of frost.
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