Christmas Day set to be hottest in years after 'warmest' Christmas Eve since 1997, says Met Office - Sky News

Christmas Day is expected to be the hottest in years after Christmas Eve was recorded as the warmest since 1997, according to the Met Office.

The weather agency said parts of the UK are expected to hit 14C.

Most of the country will remain mild and cloudy with drizzle at times ruling out a white Christmas, apart from the mountains in northern Scotland which could see snow.

The forecast where you are

Temperatures are unlikely to exceed the warmest Christmas Day on record when the temperature reached 15.6C in 1920.

However, Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said this Christmas could see the "warmest Christmas day since 2016" when the UK hit 15.1C.

On Sunday, the weather agency said temperatures reached 15.3C at Heathrow, west London.

Image: People crabbing on the beach in Dawlish Warren, south Devon.

The warmest Christmas Eve on record was in 1931, when 15.5C was recorded in Aberdeen and Banff in Scotland.

Met Office forecaster Liam Eslick said: "It's been an exceptionally mild couple of days across all of the UK, temperatures have been well above average for the time of year, the maximum for December being 7C.

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"Temperatures (on Sunday) reached 15C in quite a few locations across the UK, the highest being 15.3C in two locations - one in Heathrow and one in Cippenham, Berkshire."

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Mr Eslick said there could be breaks in the weather on Christmas Day if people are looking to "go out and about".

He said that Boxing Day is probably going to be the best day if people are looking to go for a walk.

No more white Christmases?

With 15.3C recorded at Heathrow, it was certainly one of the warmest Christmas Eve's in recent years - but the warmest on record was in 1931 when 15.5C was recorded in Aberdeen and Banff.

That was obviously some time ago, although that may have been down to mountain effects (the Fohn Effect, whereby air descending downwind of a mountain range is warmer than on the upwind side), rather than a more general warmth.

It is hard to draw any real conclusions, especially where records for a single day are involved.

But the relatively high temperatures are consistent with the general warming we've been experiencing (it looks like this is the first year the Central England Temperature has been above the 1961-1900 average in every month, for example), coupled with a south-westerly flow, thanks to the position of the jet stream.

Does it mean no more white Christmases?

No - firstly, it looks like there'll be snow over the northern Scottish hills this Christmas, while more generally, changes in the jet stream may put us on the cold side in future years, bringing an increased risk of snow.

The UK is drawing in warmer air from the south, contributing to this unusually mild weather.

Two separate yellow wind warnings were issued by the Met Office in Scotland and northern and central areas of England for Christmas Eve, saying people should expect travel disruption, damage to buildings and power cuts, while the rest of the country may see showers.

In Wales, persistent and heavy rain could cause disruption to transport and power supplies with the possibility of flooding.

Further yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for later in the week, including parts of Scotland which could face heavy rain and snow.

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Christmas Day set to be hottest in years after 'warmest' Christmas Eve since 1997, says Met Office - Sky News

Christmas Day is expected to be the hottest in years after Christmas Eve was recorded as the warmest since 1997, according to the Met Office.

The weather agency said parts of the UK are expected to hit 14C.

Most of the country will remain mild and cloudy with drizzle at times ruling out a white Christmas, apart from the mountains in northern Scotland which could see snow.

The forecast where you are

Temperatures are unlikely to exceed the warmest Christmas Day on record when the temperature reached 15.6C in 1920.

However, Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said this Christmas could see the "warmest Christmas day since 2016" when the UK hit 15.1C.

On Sunday, the weather agency said temperatures reached 15.3C at Heathrow, west London.

Image: People crabbing on the beach in Dawlish Warren, south Devon.

The warmest Christmas Eve on record was in 1931, when 15.5C was recorded in Aberdeen and Banff in Scotland.

Met Office forecaster Liam Eslick said: "It's been an exceptionally mild couple of days across all of the UK, temperatures have been well above average for the time of year, the maximum for December being 7C.

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"Temperatures (on Sunday) reached 15C in quite a few locations across the UK, the highest being 15.3C in two locations - one in Heathrow and one in Cippenham, Berkshire."

Read more:
Christmas Eve as it happened

Mr Eslick said there could be breaks in the weather on Christmas Day if people are looking to "go out and about".

He said that Boxing Day is probably going to be the best day if people are looking to go for a walk.

No more white Christmases?

With 15.3C recorded at Heathrow, it was certainly one of the warmest Christmas Eve's in recent years - but the warmest on record was in 1931 when 15.5C was recorded in Aberdeen and Banff.

That was obviously some time ago, although that may have been down to mountain effects (the Fohn Effect, whereby air descending downwind of a mountain range is warmer than on the upwind side), rather than a more general warmth.

It is hard to draw any real conclusions, especially where records for a single day are involved.

But the relatively high temperatures are consistent with the general warming we've been experiencing (it looks like this is the first year the Central England Temperature has been above the 1961-1900 average in every month, for example), coupled with a south-westerly flow, thanks to the position of the jet stream.

Does it mean no more white Christmases?

No - firstly, it looks like there'll be snow over the northern Scottish hills this Christmas, while more generally, changes in the jet stream may put us on the cold side in future years, bringing an increased risk of snow.

The UK is drawing in warmer air from the south, contributing to this unusually mild weather.

Two separate yellow wind warnings were issued by the Met Office in Scotland and northern and central areas of England for Christmas Eve, saying people should expect travel disruption, damage to buildings and power cuts, while the rest of the country may see showers.

In Wales persistent and heavy rain could cause disruption to transport and power supplies with the possibility of flooding.

And further yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for later in the week, including parts of Scotland which could face heavy rain and snow.

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Christmas Eve: Hottest since 1997 after 15.3C recorded near Heathrow - BBC.com

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Cardiff: Man arrested on suspicion of murder in Llandaff - Sky News

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a 23-year-old man in Cardiff.

The man was found by police at an address in Llandaff on Sunday afternoon.

A 23-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Formal identification has not yet taken place but police said his next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

South Wales Police said: "This is regarded as an isolated incident and detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation."

Read more UK news
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People attending a Christmas Eve service at Llandaff Cathedral during the day were advised their travel plans could be affected by the investigation.

The cathedral said on Facebook: "To all those attending our service of nine lessons and carols this afternoon the Llandaff High Street car park is closed due to an ongoing police incident.

"Please factor this into your travel and parking plans.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those involved."

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Christmas offers 'promise of a brighter future', Rishi Sunak says - as party leaders deliver messages - Sky News

Rishi Sunak has urged people to focus on "the promise of a brighter future" - as party leaders delivered their Christmas messages.

The prime minister said Christmas was "a time of hope" but it was important to remember "those facing a difficult time".

Mr Sunak, who is a Hindu, highlighted the "Christian values at the heart of this celebration of Christ's birth".

He said: "Christmas is a time of peace, joy, compassion. A time of hope and a promise of a better world.

"And today as we look ahead, let's keep that promise of a brighter future burning into the new year."

Mr Sunak said it was a "magical time of the year" and thanked NHS staff, police and the armed forces for "sacrificing their Christmases this year in the service of others".

The Christmas message came between strikes by junior doctors in England, with the longest walkout in NHS history due to begin on 3 January.

More on Christmas

Related Topics:

Mr Sunak will call a general election in 2024 as the Tories try to hold on to power, with opinion polls currently suggesting a healthy Labour lead.

Image: Sir Keir Starmer on a visit to a NATO base in Estonia

'Love and peace are always worth advocating for'

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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer used his message to say the story of Jesus was a reminder that "in times of darkness and despair, hope, love and peace are always worth advocating for".

He said: "Throughout the Christmas period, we see the bonds of kinship rekindled as families and friends share in the joy, the hope and the optimism that Christmas provides.

"For Christians the world over, this is a time to rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ - God's son.

"The birth of Jesus Christ brings light into our world and reminds us that in times of darkness and despair, hope, love and peace are always worth advocating for.

"Charity, humility and selflessness take centre stage in the Christmas story - and this season serves as a reminder that these qualities should be a guiding light for all of us."

He thanked the NHS, Royal Mail workers, military personnel, retail and hospitality staff for their work over Christmas, and praised the "generosity of churches and charities".

Read more:
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Meanwhile, in his message, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: "We hold in our hearts those less fortunate than ourselves.

"And to those who, this year, are without loved ones over Christmas."

And Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said the cost of living crisis would also affect people's Christmases.

"Christmas is a special time of year where people gather with their loved ones," he said. "However, I know for many people - many families in Scotland - it has been a challenging year.

"And as we come together over the festive period, the cost of living will be on many people's minds."

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Wales's outgoing first minister, Mark Drakeford, said things have been "difficult" recently in the face of challenges on an "extraordinary scale".

He touched on child hunger and pressures on the NHS, adding he knows that for "so many" life "remains tough this December".

"But Christmas is a time when we remember that this, too, can pass," he said in a Christmas message for Welsh Labour.

"That there are bright days ahead for this nation; that things really will get better."

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High winds likely to add to Christmas Eve travel disruption - BBC

PA Media

Travel disruption is expected on the UK's roads and rail networks on Christmas Eve, with high winds likely to add to the challenges.

Yellow weather warnings for wind are in place in Scotland and north-east England throughout much of Sunday.

The AA has warned of "lengthy" traffic jams, and told people to prepare for longer journeys.

Rail disruption is also anticipated, with major engineering works at two London stations and staff shortages.

A number of train operators are expecting crew shortages on Christmas Eve, which could lead to the cancellation of trains, National Rail said.

Several said there had been "a surge in sickness absence".

There is also residual disruption from recent bad weather, it added.

There have already been travel delays this week, with strikes in France causing cancellations on the Eurostar.

Two yellow weather warnings for wind are in place, one for most of Scotland from 12:00 GMT on Sunday until the end of the day, and another in north-east England from 08:00 Sunday until 22:00.

The Met Office has said people in those areas should expect travel disruption, damage to buildings and power cuts, while the rest of the country could see showers.

A yellow weather warning for rain is also in place for north Wales until 18:00, with spray, flooding and travel disruption possible.

"People should make sure to leave more time, especially in exposed areas - it could affect rail networks and ferries," meteorologist Liam Eslick told PA news agency.

"People travelling on roads should take care and stay away from high-sided vehicles, and for people who are at home and are going for walks, stay away from coasts," he said.

The RAC has advised motorists to travel before 11: 00 or after 18:00 if possible to reduce the chances of being stuck in long queues.

Edmund King, from the AA, said people should expect delays, and urged people to prepare supplies including food and jackets.

"Check your tyre pressure, check your oil, check your windscreen washer fluid," he said.

From Christmas Eve, London's Paddington Station is closed for four days, while there will also be no long distance train services from King's Cross.

West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway said they were expecting disruption due to "the combined impact of a surge in sickness absence, associated shortage of traincrew and the impact of the recent storms across our network".

Northern said it was operating reduced services across the North West "due to traincrew unavailability", adding it was expecting "significant" disruption.

Chiltern Railways advised passengers to travel as early as possible and to anticipate some cancellations and alterations due to a "shortage of available train crew".

Services will finish earlier than normal on Sunday, while no trains will be running on Christmas Day.

On Saturday, there were small delays for people boarding ferries to France at the Port of Dover.

Are you impacted by travel disruption this Christmas? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

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Sunak feared migrant curbs would hit tax cuts - The Telegraph

Rishi Sunak delayed a crackdown on illegal migration after voicing fears that the budget watchdog would slash his headroom for tax cuts, The Telegraph can reveal.

The Prime Minister was considering announcing measures restricting the arrival of foreign workers in the autumn, soon after major announcements on scrapping HS2 and scaling back net zero targets.

But The Telegraph can reveal that part of the reason Mr Sunak held off until December was out of concern that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) would significantly reduce the Government’s headroom – the leeway available to increase spending or cut taxes within its fiscal rules – ahead of November’s Autumn Statement.

The OBR, set up by George Osborne, provides official “scoring” on the impact of policy changes, which it then uses to calculate the overall headroom available to chancellors at financial statements.

A Conservative source said that, ahead of the Autumn Statement, “the Prime Minister was concerned about the OBR reducing headroom as a result of taking further action [to reduce migration].”

Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, cut National Insurance by 2p in November and faces  pressure from within the Tory party to go further in the Spring Budget.

Conservative MPs have criticised the OBR for focusing its “scoring” of migration policies largely on the basis of the benefits the additional labour brings to the economy, meaning that lower levels of net migration will typically mean less headroom.

Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, has accused the OBR of largely “ignoring” the costs of higher migration from increased pressure on the NHS, schools and housing market.

Mr Sunak eventually announced a significant package of measures after official figures showed that net migration hit 745,000 in the year to last December – three times its pre-Brexit level – despite the Tories’ manifesto commitment to reduce overall levels of migration.

The changes included raising the minimum salary migrants must earn in a skilled job by a third. However, the Prime Minister is facing a row after watering down a measure to also raise thresholds for partners.

Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, is believed to be preparing to set out a plan on how to meet the Conservatives’ manifesto commitment, on the basis that he believes the Government’s current plans will fail to achieve that.

A Number 10 source said that by waiting until after the release of the new net migration figures in late November, the Government was able to put together “the best package” based on “the full picture” and “targeted to the right areas to have the most impact.”

The source added: “In the end we announced a plan that will deliver the biggest-ever cut to net migration.”

An OBR spokesman said: “These changes have been announced since the publication of [our] last forecast in November and so we have not yet undertaken any analysis of the implications of these measures.

“Our long-term projections do take account of migration and other population trends in estimating demand for public services.”

Meanwhile, Reform UK, the party campaigning for “net zero migration”, is preparing to field candidates in all constituencies in England, Scotland and Wales, The Sunday Times reported.

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