"As time goes on, there is an increasing chance of milder air spreading from the southwest bringing longer periods of rain, with the potential for more widespread snow for a time on its leading edge, but low confidence as to when this might occur."

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

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2022/cold-week-with-some-snow-expected 

The BBC are describing 5-8C North to South as 'below average' - anecdotally I'd probably call that 'average' for December?

Depends how far back you average! In recent Decembers it seems like 10-12C is the average down here. 

One thing I have noticed is how much the temperatures have been revised upwards here at short notice recently. A few days ago it was looking like quite a cool spell with maxima bit getting above 5C all week. Yesterday hit 8C and today is already forecast to be 7C. 

Updated: 09:56 (UTC) on Tue 6 Dec 2022

Reason for update

The warning area has been expanded to include the Western Isles, updated to include ice and the validity period extended through Thursday morning.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-12-08&id=8785e37a-9f57-4095-ae68-1db03c822a32 

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-12-08 

Cold weather is expected to continue through at least Sunday and into the beginning of next week, particularly in the north. Wintry showers will mainly affect coastal regions, with snow most likely over higher ground but perhaps falling to lower levels at times. By contrast, inland areas should see more in the way of fine and dry weather, with widespread frosts locally severe at times. While timing is uncertain for now, areas of cloud, rain and stronger winds are increasingly likely to progress into southwestern areas at times, with potential for significant snowfall along the leading edge of such systems. Temperatures remaining cold to very cold, with a chance of returning closer to normal across the south later into the period.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-v9imFM23A 

Sums it up nicely:

Cold weather is expected to continue through at least Sunday and into the beginning of next week, particularly in the north. Wintry showers will mainly affect coastal regions, with snow most likely over higher ground but perhaps falling to lower levels at times. By contrast, inland areas should see more in the way of fine and dry weather, with widespread frosts locally severe at times. While timing is uncertain for now, areas of cloud, rain and stronger winds are increasingly likely to progress into southwestern areas at times, with potential for significant snowfall along the leading edge of such systems. Temperatures remaining cold to very cold, with a chance of returning closer to normal across the south later into the period.

Yes it certainly did when it was published, but only 8 hours later it is starting to look out of date. 

SKL 'Transient snow event for Southern England next week before turning milder'

That IMO is a very poor representation of her forecast. People can watch it in full here and make their own judgement.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/63861853 

EDIT 1: The above was at 0917 - now (1147) temps are forecast at about 2C and light snow is back for Tue 13th evening in Chichester.

EDIT 2: As you were, at 1600, forecast is back to dry and 4C

Those of you who got a chance to read my daily review in the MO thread before the thread was deleted, having been contaminated with political overspill, will appreciate my comment there about N models producing 2N forecasts.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-12-07 

Having not experienced a winter in the SW for 30 years, fasinating to see how we do out of this Northerly, reckon we could see a dusting.

Higher hills further North looking like doing well though.

On BBC News warning that temps could dip to -6 tonight. Advice as to what people should do.This country has gone bananas.

That's nearly two degrees colder than it was here this morning.  How will I cope?!!! 😨

Summary

A cold December with some snow

Wednesday 7 December to – Sunday 11 December

Cold with wintry outbreaks

Monday 12 December to – Sunday 18 December

Remaining colder than average, risks of snow

Monday 19 December to – Sunday 1 January

Still mostly cold but possibly milder later

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

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

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/63895092