Met Office and BBC Weather have say over '168 hours of snow' hitting England

The Met Office and BBC Weather teams have had their say over claims a "non stop" blizzard could smash into the UK for DAYS on end in December. As we approach Christmas, the meteorologists at the Met Office and the Beeb have discussed WX Charts maps and charts which show snow from December 8 to 15 - which the Daily Express points out is 168 hours' worth.

Hinting at a wintry spell, the BBC remains uncertain, saying: "The risk of slightly wetter and above all windier conditions is likely to continue, and perhaps be even more pronounced in eastern parts of the UK. Furthermore, a continuation of a rather wintry spell is possible, more so at the beginning of this week.

"However, high pressure could set in from the west later in the week and it could get a little drier and calmer as the week progresses, though there remains low confidence in this. Temperatures could climb above average again as the high pressure moves further east of the UK, along with a brisk southerly flow for a time."

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Its forecast spanning December 9 onwards goes on to explain in its week-by-week outlook: "Nevertheless, any high pressure could be rather short-lived as new Atlantic lows approach, bringing fairly unsettled conditions back to the UK."

The Met Office, meanwhile, says moving into the second week of December, there are signs of more settled weather developing more widely, especially across the south and southwest of the UK. This may well bring a spell of mainly dry conditions in these areas, probably with patchy overnight frost and fog.

"Any outbreaks of rain and wind in this period are more likely to affect the north. Temperatures will vary around average for December, with some milder and some colder days," it goes on to add, in an update on its website.

The Met Office forecast spans December 4 to 13.