I think the Icon might have something to say about that!

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2023/cold-spells-to-come 

Fantastic vetting by ITN!

Online guide showing 'Beast from the East', the freeze of 2018 now scheduled.

(Could this be a repeat? It rings a bell)

I can’t watch a program about the Best from the East without feeling totally underwhelmed. The cold spells last winter here had more snow and lower maxima and minima than anything seen in the “Beast”.

Even that totally bypassed here at Folkestone with a spell of freezing drizzle in the morning that ended with a near spring-like afternoon while North and West Kent had up to a foot of snow. That was probably the most frustrating weather event I've ever experienced and I'm sure Gusty would agree with me. 

https://news.stv.tv/scotland/sean-batty-could-snow-and-ice-in-scotland-see-a-repeat-of-2010s-big-freeze 

Summary

Cold for a while then milder by mid-December

Wednesday 29 November to – Sunday 3 December

Cold and occasionally wintry

Monday 4 December to – Sunday 10 December

Cold and unsettled then potentially milder later

Monday 11 December to – Sunday 24 December

Becoming mild, wet and windy

Further ahead

Although the cold weather looks sure to hang on for at least a week, there is a lot less certainty in an anticipated change to milder weather. The next update might shed more light on when this could happen. We will also peek towards the end of 2023.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/outlook 

Spells of snow may develop over hills, especially parts of Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor, Blackdown Hills and Exmoor during the early hours of Thursday before petering out later in the day. The highest parts of Dartmoor and perhaps Bodmin Moor may see 5-10cm of snow with some drifting in strong easterly winds. 

Rest of the week

• Staying cold
• Sharp night frosts

Next week

• Milder and wetter

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/av/67566744 

Given the fact they said that snow would be restricted to the highest ground largely in the north a few days ago for this current week I would be wary about any forecast for a week ahead. When “highest ground” transpires to mean “almost sea level” it detracts from the credibility somewhat. Largely in the north may or may not be correct and time will tell. The sleet or snow for highest ground was evidently going to be wrong from the moment the statement was made. Disappointing and unnecessary.

The graphics and forecast were also based on the ECM 00z op run which has been superseded by a slightly cooler 12z op run and ensembles so even more caution is needed. The max of 0°C forecast here on Sunday will certainly feel seasonal if it comes off, but that is some way off.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/av/63346531 [img]https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/av/63346531[/img] 

"Perhaps a greater chance of a longer cold spell late in the period."

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/uk 

Summary

Cold early December, then milder and wetter

Saturday 2 December to – Sunday 10 December

Becoming wet, windy and milder later in the week

Monday 11 December to – Sunday 17 December

Wet and windy at times. Chillier in the north

Monday 18 December to – Sunday 31 December

Periodically wet and windy

Further ahead

When we re-visit the forecast, we will see if the milder and unsettled outlook from the second half of next week onwards still looks likely.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/outlook 

• Cold to start
• Becoming wetter and windier
• Turning milder for all

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001t47c/weather-for-the-week-ahead-03122023 

Not quite as good as a 'yellow snow warning', but these still make me chuckle.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-67611117 

Summary

Often wet and mild throughout December

Wednesday 6 December to – Sunday 10 December

Milder, and occasionally wet and windy

Monday 11 December to – Sunday 17 December

Changeable and turning a bit chillier

Monday 18 December to – Sunday 31 December

Periodically wet and windy

Further ahead

In the next forecast, we will be able to look at what the long range models are saying for early January. We will also see if they stick with the expected milder pattern through the rest of December, and if they hint at anything colder around the New Year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/outlook 

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/historic-station-data .

Can't access the stations. 😧

Looks like they've cocked-up the links.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/pub/data/weather/uk/climate/stationdata/manstondata.txt 

The data is still there, so just modify the link above with the station's text file and you'll get your data.

Most likely to be unsettled with further bands of rain crossing the UK with brighter conditions and showers in between. The wettest and windiest conditions are most likely in the west and northwest. The chance of a colder spell of weather, with hazards such as snow and ice, does increase later in December and into the New Year period. However, conditions are more likely to remain generally mild and wet.

Updated: 15:00 (UTC) on Thu 7 Dec 2023

You do have to laugh at the logic

Summary

Mild and rainy, then more seasonal and changeable

Saturday 9 December to – Sunday 17 December

Mild and wet, then colder and drier from midweek

Monday 18 December to – Sunday 24 December

Very uncertain but probably drier

Monday 1 January to – Sunday 14 January

Most probably becoming mild and wet

Further ahead

The pressing concern in the next update will be to see whether models have better agreement regarding developments during the week before Christmas.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/outlook