Cold, wet and windy weather to unfold across UK this weekend as Christmas markets open

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

November 18,2016; 7:11PM,EST

 

 

Jackets and brollies may be needed across the United Kingdom this weekend as more Christmas markets open up.
This is the first weekend of Christmas markets in York, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Belfast, Exeter, Winchester and Nottingham. Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland in London opens on 18 November.
Some residents in Manchester and Northwest England woke up to snow on the ground on Friday morning.
Snow fell on the hills around Manchester on Friday. (Photo/Andy Cocking)
Snow blanketed Rochdale on Friday morning. (Photo/Lucy Connolly)
Chilly air will cover the U.K. this weekend and make it feel like Christmas is fast approaching. Rain, however, could put a damper on the festive mood, especially across the southern U.K.
Saturday will be the better day this weekend to attend Christmas markets across most of southern and eastern England. This includes in Winchester, home to one of the largest Christmas markets in the south of England.
While Saturday will be largely rain-free, a few wintry showers may briefly affect areas from Wales into Northwest England and western Scotland. Any shower will generally last 20 minutes; however, a quick burst of snow or sleet can cause some travel disruptions.
A more potent depression will arrive Saturday night and into Sunday.
The depression will target the southern U.K. with soaking rain and gusty winds. Enough cold air could be in place for snow on the hills.
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2016 United Kingdom winter forecast
Rain will first reach far-southwestern England on Saturday evening before spreading northeast into Sunday.
Showery spells in Exeter on Saturday will give way to steadier rain at night. A few showers will linger across the area on Sunday.
The heaviest rain in London is expected late Saturday night into Sunday morning with just a lingering shower or two after midday.

Ice sculptor Jack Hackney poses for photographers beside ice sculptures in the "Magical Ice Kingdom" at the "Hyde Park Winter Wonderland" in London, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
How far north the depression tracks will determine if the steadiest rain is confined to the Midlands and southern England or expands to the north of England.
"Flooding will be a concern across southern England, Wales and the Midlands Saturday night into Sunday morning," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
The core of the strongest winds will aim at the English Channel and northern France.
"While the core of widespread damaging winds will be aimed at northern France and Belgium, locally damaging winds are possible along and near the southern coast of England," Roys said.

These areas could see wind gusts past 60 mph (97 km/h) Saturday night.
The quietest weather for the opening of Christmas markets this weekend will be in Edinburgh and Belfast.
Those heading out will want to wrap up as temperatures will hold 3-4 degrees Celsius (6-8 degrees Fahrenheit) below normal to highs of 5-6 C (lower 40s F) both Saturday and Sunday.
Similar highs will be recorded elsewhere in the northern U.K. this weekend.
In Wales and the south of England, highs will range from 5-9 C (41-49 F). However, temperatures could crawl above 10 F (50 F) southeast of London on Sunday.
Meteorologist Eric Leister contributed content to this story.