Scotland marked its mildest Christmas morning ever, with temperatures reaching unprecedented highs. The Met Office confirmed record-breaking minimum temperatures for Christmas Day, highlighting a trend of warmer festive seasons in parts of the UK.
Record-Breaking Warmth
On Christmas morning, Kinloss in Moray recorded a balmy 11.9°C, while Killowen in County Down, Northern Ireland, reported 11°C—both breaking records for the 24-hour period ending at 9 a.m.
These readings surpassed previous high minimum temperatures for the day, indicating a significant departure from the frosty Christmas mornings traditionally associated with the season.
A “Green Christmas”
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan delivered the news of a “green Christmas” across the UK, with no snow or frost expected anywhere in the country.
“Great news if you have travel plans,” Morgan said, “no weather warnings are expected, no disruptive weather—but not great news if you want a festive feel.”
Key Highlights:
- Christmas Eve Temperatures: Mild conditions continued from the previous day, with Cassley in Sutherland peaking at 15.2°C, the highest temperature recorded.
- Coldest Spot: Wattisham, Suffolk, saw the lowest temperature at 3.5°C, underscoring the stark contrast across the UK.
Christmas Day Forecast
The Met Office predicted a dry and cloudy day for most of the UK, though brightness would be rare.
- Northern Scotland: Expected to experience gales in some areas and occasional rain.
- Sunshine Chances: “A few places may see glimmers of sunshine,” Morgan added, though overcast skies would dominate.
Looking Ahead
Boxing Day will continue the trend of mild and cloudy weather, with only scattered areas seeing brighter spells.
- North East England and Midlands: A chance of some sun.
- Shetland Isles: Likely to enjoy clearer skies.
The unseasonably mild conditions follow a broader trend of warmer winters across the UK, with implications for both local weather patterns and the global climate.
