Don't bother wrapping up warm - but bring a brollie! Revellers welcoming in 2022 will enjoy record 59F temperatures - but forecasters warn celebrations could be hit by downpours after gales hit parts of south west later this week
Britons across the nation are set to enjoy the warmest New Year's Eve on record with highs of 59F predicted this week - but revellers may want to bring an umbrella after forecasters warned of rain and strong winds moving across much of England.
Outdoor garden parties and al fresco dining could be on the cards this New Year's Eve after the Met Office said temperatures would be 'above average for this time of year' and 'exceptionally mild'.
After a cool start to the week, temperatures are set to reach a comfortable 59F (15C) on Friday in parts of southern England - meaning the country will enjoy similar conditions to those in southern European hotspots like Madrid and Athens.
It would also mean the 2011 record of 58F (14.8C) in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, would be beaten, making this New Year's Eve the hottest on record.
However forecasters have warned the weather will remain unsettled with the chance of rain and strong winds in the south and the west of England later this week.
The forecast comes as the Prime Minister held crunch talks with chief advisors Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance over the implementation of restrictions in England before the New Year amid the spread of the Covid variant Omicron.
Riders take their bikes through the snow near Castleside, County Durham, as parts of the country are hit by snow on Boxing Day
A group of people at the top of the harbour wall in Lyme Regis this afternoon as temperatures begin to get milder
Sheep are spotted on a snow covered field in Guiseley, West Yorkshire, as the Met Office declares an official White Christmas after two measuring stations in Scotland recorded snowfall on Christmas Day
Today will see many areas hit with rain or showers before sunny spells begin to arrive from the west.
The rain will continue northeastwards as cloud breaks across some southern, central and eastern parts.
By Thursday, the weather will be 'exceptionally mild' with spells of rain and strong winds but interspersed with drier and brighter interludes.
The Met Office's Greg Dewhurst said: 'The record is 14.8C on New Year's Eve and that was in 2011, temperatures look like they'll be 14 to 15C (57.2-59F) so it is possible that temperatures could be that value.
'We're going to see across the whole of the country, through the rest of this week, temperatures that are above average for this time of year.
'The average temperature in the UK around this time of year should be around 7-8C (44.6-46.4F).
'Going forward, we're looking at highs of around 12-14C (53.6-57.2F), possibly locally 15C in one or two spots, so it's going to be well above average.'
However Mr Dewhurst warned that there would be cloud, strong winds and heavy rain at times.
He added: 'There's going to be cloud at times as well as strong winds and heavy rain, particularly across the north and the west of the UK.
'This is all being driven by low pressure systems moving across the Atlantic and bringing in the milder air and wet weather.'
Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said that temperatures are set to return to average in January following a mild late December.
He said: 'After New Year's Eve there is a trend for temperatures to return nearer to normal. That's not surprising as temperatures are way above average.'
He added that northern England and Scotland could even see frost in the new year.
Mr Snell added: 'For this time of year, if we see any clearer slots at night then that does give some risk for frost, particularly across the northern half of the UK.'
It comes as a survey by the wood care product company Cuprinol showed more people than ever are embracing the growing trend of eating outdoors all year round.
The firm, which makes weatherproof paint for fences and garden furniture, found more people are opting to make use of their garden in the cold months.
Three out of 10 people polled said they spent as much time in their garden in the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night as they did in the summer months.
And 37 per cent said they refused to let the weather get in their way, wrapping up warm so that they could spend more time outdoors.
Meanwhile 51 per cent said they preferred to host parties outside to entertain friends and 82 per cent claimed that spending time outside improved their mood.
A Cuprinol spokesperson said 'Gardens are no longer a space that we enjoy for just three months of the year. More people are investing in their garden to ensure it is a space they can make the most of - come rain or shine.'
It comes after a chilly Boxing Day saw up to four inches of snow falling on high ground in the early hours with heavy flurries across southern Scotland, Durham, Northumberland, Yorkshire and the Peak District.
Today will see many areas hit with rain or showers before sunny spells begin to arrive from the west. Temperatures could reach 11C in Southampton and -4C in Loch Glascarnoch
A woman walks her dog through the snow in Castleside, County Durham, as parts of England from the East Midlands to the North-East are hit by snow on Boxing Day
Two swimmers dressed up as a panda and a lobster splash in the cold waters of the North Sea as they take part in the annual Boxing Day dip at Redcar Beach
A group of people warm up before a charity Boxing Day swim at Ayr beach in aid of Ayrshire Cancer Support
Swimmers take part in a charity Boxing Day swim at Ayr beach for Ayrshire Cancer Support before new restrictions are introduced from in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
The Met Office had declared an official White Christmas after two measuring stations in Scotland recorded snowfall on Christmas Day.
But the blizzards disrupted major roads in the North, including the M62 and A66, which had to be temporarily closed in the morning due to icy conditions.
Some drivers struggled to get going at all after their cars were left covered in thick snow.
However, the nippy weather was no match for daring swimmers at Perranporth Beach in Cornwall, and at Ayr, south-west Scotland.
Some wore jolly Santa hats and tinsel as they braved the icy sea while others were spotted warming up on the beach before taking the plunge into the water.
England is currently the only part of the UK where party-goers will be able to celebrate New Year's Eve without restrictions after Boris Johnson opted to heed the pleas of hospitality bosses and resist fresh Covid curbs.
The Prime Minister said: 'We will continue to monitor the data carefully, but there will be no new restrictions introduced in England before the New Year. However, I would urge everyone to continue to act cautiously given the rising number of Omicron cases.
'Most importantly I urge everyone to get their first, second or booster jab without delay to protect yourselves and your loved ones.'
It came as Professor Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, backed the Government's decision not to impose new Covid restrictions in England before the New Year.
Sir John told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'The health minister has taken advice and looked at the data. I think his judgment where we should go in the next few days is probably fine.
'There are a lot of people who are aware that we are in the face of this large wave of disease. The behaviour of people in the UK, in England in particular, has been pretty responsible in terms of trying not to go out and spending a lot of time exposing yourself to the virus.
'You look at the people on the streets, the roads are quiet, all that stuff. I think that's likely to continue for the next week as we see how this thing evolves.' Britons across the nation are set to enjoy the warmest New Year's Eve on record with highs of 59F predicted this week - but revellers may want to bring an umbrella after forecasters warned of rain and strong winds moving across much of England.
Outdoor garden parties and al fresco dining could be on the cards this New Year's Eve after the Met Office said temperatures would be 'above average for this time of year' and 'exceptionally mild'.
After a cool start to the week, temperatures are set to reach a comfortable 59F (15C) on Friday in parts of southern England - meaning the country will enjoy similar conditions to those in southern European hotspots like Madrid and Athens.
It would also mean the 2011 record of 58F (14.8C) in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, would be beaten, making this New Year's Eve the hottest on record.
However forecasters have warned the weather will remain unsettled with the chance of rain and strong winds in the south and the west of England later this week.
The forecast comes as the Prime Minister held crunch talks with chief advisors Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance over the implementation of restrictions in England before the New Year amid the spread of the Covid variant Omicron.
Riders take their bikes through the snow near Castleside, County Durham, as parts of the country are hit by snow on Boxing Day
A group of people at the top of the harbour wall in Lyme Regis this afternoon as temperatures begin to get milder
Sheep are spotted on a snow covered field in Guiseley, West Yorkshire, as the Met Office declares an official White Christmas after two measuring stations in Scotland recorded snowfall on Christmas Day
Today will see many areas hit with rain or showers before sunny spells begin to arrive from the west.
The rain will continue northeastwards as cloud breaks across some southern, central and eastern parts.
By Thursday, the weather will be 'exceptionally mild' with spells of rain and strong winds but interspersed with drier and brighter interludes.
The Met Office's Greg Dewhurst said: 'The record is 14.8C on New Year's Eve and that was in 2011, temperatures look like they'll be 14 to 15C (57.2-59F) so it is possible that temperatures could be that value.
'We're going to see across the whole of the country, through the rest of this week, temperatures that are above average for this time of year.
'The average temperature in the UK around this time of year should be around 7-8C (44.6-46.4F).
'Going forward, we're looking at highs of around 12-14C (53.6-57.2F), possibly locally 15C in one or two spots, so it's going to be well above average.'
However Mr Dewhurst warned that there would be cloud, strong winds and heavy rain at times.
He added: 'There's going to be cloud at times as well as strong winds and heavy rain, particularly across the north and the west of the UK.
'This is all being driven by low pressure systems moving across the Atlantic and bringing in the milder air and wet weather.'
Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said that temperatures are set to return to average in January following a mild late December.
He said: 'After New Year's Eve there is a trend for temperatures to return nearer to normal. That's not surprising as temperatures are way above average.'
He added that northern England and Scotland could even see frost in the new year.
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Mr Snell added: 'For this time of year, if we see any clearer slots at night then that does give some risk for frost, particularly across the northern half of the UK.'
It comes as a survey by the wood care product company Cuprinol showed more people than ever are embracing the growing trend of eating outdoors all year round.
The firm, which makes weatherproof paint for fences and garden furniture, found more people are opting to make use of their garden in the cold months.
Three out of 10 people polled said they spent as much time in their garden in the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night as they did in the summer months.
And 37 per cent said they refused to let the weather get in their way, wrapping up warm so that they could spend more time outdoors.
Meanwhile 51 per cent said they preferred to host parties outside to entertain friends and 82 per cent claimed that spending time outside improved their mood.
A Cuprinol spokesperson said 'Gardens are no longer a space that we enjoy for just three months of the year. More people are investing in their garden to ensure it is a space they can make the most of - come rain or shine.'
It comes after a chilly Boxing Day saw up to four inches of snow falling on high ground in the early hours with heavy flurries across southern Scotland, Durham, Northumberland, Yorkshire and the Peak District.
Today will see many areas hit with rain or showers before sunny spells begin to arrive from the west. Temperatures could reach 11C in Southampton and -4C in Loch Glascarnoch
A woman walks her dog through the snow in Castleside, County Durham, as parts of England from the East Midlands to the North-East are hit by snow on Boxing Day
Two swimmers dressed up as a panda and a lobster splash in the cold waters of the North Sea as they take part in the annual Boxing Day dip at Redcar Beach
A group of people warm up before a charity Boxing Day swim at Ayr beach in aid of Ayrshire Cancer Support
Swimmers take part in a charity Boxing Day swim at Ayr beach for Ayrshire Cancer Support before new restrictions are introduced from in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
The Met Office had declared an official White Christmas after two measuring stations in Scotland recorded snowfall on Christmas Day.
But the blizzards disrupted major roads in the North, including the M62 and A66, which had to be temporarily closed in the morning due to icy conditions.
Some drivers struggled to get going at all after their cars were left covered in thick snow.
However, the nippy weather was no match for daring swimmers at Perranporth Beach in Cornwall, and at Ayr, south-west Scotland.
Some wore jolly Santa hats and tinsel as they braved the icy sea while others were spotted warming up on the beach before taking the plunge into the water.
England is currently the only part of the UK where party-goers will be able to celebrate New Year's Eve without restrictions after Boris Johnson opted to heed the pleas of hospitality bosses and resist fresh Covid curbs.
The Prime Minister said: 'We will continue to monitor the data carefully, but there will be no new restrictions introduced in England before the New Year. However, I would urge everyone to continue to act cautiously given the rising number of Omicron cases.
'Most importantly I urge everyone to get their first, second or booster jab without delay to protect yourselves and your loved ones.'
It came as Professor Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, backed the Government's decision not to impose new Covid restrictions in England before the New Year.
Sir John told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'The health minister has taken advice and looked at the data. I think his judgment where we should go in the next few days is probably fine.
'There are a lot of people who are aware that we are in the face of this large wave of disease. The behaviour of people in the UK, in England in particular, has been pretty responsible in terms of trying not to go out and spending a lot of time exposing yourself to the virus.
'You look at the people on the streets, the roads are quiet, all that stuff. I think that's likely to continue for the next week as we see how this thing evolves.'
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