Weather forecaster has predicted return of 'Beast from the East' this winter

UK weather forecasters have said we could be in for a white Christmas, with a possible 'Beast from the East' set to hit in December.

While the Met Office believe we could be expecting mild weather this winter, some independent weather forecasters have said there will be a turn from the start of December, which could leave Brits experiencing a white Christmas this year.

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Meteorologist Jim Dale from British Weather Services has said there is an increased chance of a cold snap in December.

He told the Daily Star: "Pressure will start to rise towards the end of the month and into the start of December, holding back the Atlantic and marking the transition zone.

"We are then in a bit of a no man's land, with a few frosts, a few fogs, but nothing major.

"Then high pressure comes in for the start of December, and this is when we are expecting it to start building over the UK, with the first freezing plunge going into Europe and then, if it comes off, bringing easterlies into the UK.

"The Beast has opened its eyes, and the signals are still there for a possible easterly Beast from the East early blast of winter during the first half of December."

On Twitter, British Weather Services added: "That ‘Beast from the East’ whose currently still slumbering in Russia, his eyes are on us later in the first week of December. Stay tuned!"

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Other forecasters have also spoken about the possibility of wintry weather over the festive period. James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, has said that while there is a high chance, it needs to be monitored over the following weeks.

“Current models are moving towards a major pattern change to something much colder during the start of December, and this is expected towards the end of the first week," he said.

“This is expected to have an easterly component bringing very low temperatures and the risk of snow, with wintry showers possibly turning widespread.”

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Until then, it's believed conditions across the UK will remain wet and windy, with foggy spells and frosts as the colder period edges nearer.

Bookies Ladbrokes meanwhile have slashed odds of a White Christmas to 6-4, with Edinburgh standing at a 4-1 chance of seeing snow.

Spokesman Alex Apati said: “Christmas is just a month away, and the latest odds suggest we could well be set to see snow.”