Christmas Day weather in Scotland: Full Scottish forecast as temperatures to plummet to -5C

The UK is set for a cold and frosty Christmas Day - with temperatures in northern Scotland potentially reaching minus 5C overnight.

Met Office forecasters have predicted “brisk winds” beginning from Christmas Eve will make temperatures feel “close to freezing” for much of the country.

The Met Office have predicted a cold and frosty Christmas morning | Getty Images

In Scotland, the day itself is set to be dry and sunny in the west, with cloudier weather expected in the east. Temperatures in most areas will peak at between 5C and 7C.

Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: “It will turn colder from Christmas Eve, with a strong wind across much of England and Wales, so temperatures on the thermometer will be a little bit below average: around 6C or 7C as a max, generally.

“And then when you add on that wind chill of an easterly wind, it will probably feel more like freezing from Christmas Eve onwards.”

Temperatures are then forecast to plummet to below freezing overnight, with northern Scotland potentially dropping to minus 5C.

“It’s a bit colder than average, not unusual for the time of year, but in terms of averages it would be a bit below”, Ms Mitchell said.

“The weather’s all very similar really, out towards New Year’s Eve. The Christmas period is quite a nice forecast.”

Here’s a full breakdown of the Met Office forecast across Scotland.

Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian & Borders - including Edinburgh

Christmas Day is set to be a dry but rather cloudy day, especially on eastern coasts where cloud is likely to linger all day. Meanwhile, areas in the west are set to see lots of sunshine.

There will be maximum temperatures of 6 °C.

Strathclyde - including Glasgow

Again, a dry day with lots of sunshine across Argyll. Glasgow will have more cloud in the morning but some bright or sunnier spells will develop. There will be maximum temperatures of 5 °C.

Central, Tayside & Fife

A rather cloudy start to the day is expected, especially on eastern coasts where cloud may linger all day. Western Tayside and Stirlingshire will see some brighter breaks. There will be maximum temperatures of 7 °C.

Grampian

Grampian, including Aberdeen, will also see a cloudy start to the day, especially on eastern coasts. Meanwhile Moray and parts of western Aberdeenshire can expect lots of sunshine.

Maximum temperatures will hit 6 °C.

Highlands & Eilean Siar

It will be a cold and frosty start for those waking up in northern Scotland. There will be mist and fog patches which will may be slow to clear in places. Otherwise it’s set to be a dry day with a good bit of sunshine. There will be maximum temperatures of 5 °C.

Christmas Day is set to be a “settled” day with light winds. Shetland will remain cloudy while Orkney will have more in the way of sunnier spells. There are maximum temperatures of 7 °C.