Appropriate weather will be hard to come by across the British Isles over the festive season. Mild air has flooded in from the Atlantic to produce dull, if not downright wet weather for many areas.

We are not alone. Many other parts of western Europe are also experiencing a mild, wet Christmas. There is, however, a marked contrast across Germany. Whilst the north is wet and mild, southern Germany and parts of Austria are seeing the other face of winter. Temperatures overnight fell to -12C in Munich, well below the seasonal average of -4C. Further east, there are blizzards in parts of Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria.

Bethlehems across the world are also experiencing a variety of conditions. Bethlehem, Israel, is fine and dry but Bethlehem, South Africa, has had 14mm of rain in the past two days. Conditions in Turkey are also varied with significant rain in the west. Perhaps The Christmas Islands look a little more attractive with sunny spells and a temperature of 27C!

Bolivians will not thank the weather for the heavy rains in the run up to Christmas. Central areas are now affected by devastating floods. A major road bridge across the Chapare river collapsed in the floods. A number of fatalities have been reported are many others are missing. Houses and crops have been damaged and transport links have been cut.

At a time when so many head for home, hearts must also go out to the hundreds of families who have been forced to leave their homes on Honduras' Caribbean coast. After three weeks of heavy rain, floods have caused the collapse of four bridges and many parts are now cut off.

Wherever you may be, I hope the weather is kind to you and that you have a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Weather News from the last five days:
24/12/2003
23/12/2003
22/12/2003
21/12/2003
20/12/2003

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