This month's weather with Terry

December is likely to produce some cold spells but little in the way of snow

Terry Scholey uses solar activity readings to predict the weather each month. Here are his predictions for December 2009.

December will be a mixed month that should produce both mild and cold spells.

The latter is more likely around mid-December and also perhaps briefly just after Christmas.

There will probably be a lack of snow, with any that does fall soon likely to melt in another changeable month.

After the first general air frost of the coming winter, it will soon become milder again in early December.

Unsettled conditions will return with some rain or showers, as the barometer in your hallway falls to low levels again, a position it occupied during most of November.

There could be some heavy rain around the 4th or 5th, that could briefly be followed by a drop in temperature, but any colder weather is not expected to last.

Terry Scholey uses solar reading to predict the weather

Generally mild, unsettled weather with rain at times is expected well into the second week, before a change probably brings colder conditions from the north. Scattered showers could be wintry over the higher parts of the region, but as pressure rises, it should become mainly dry.

Around or just after mid-month will be the most likely time for overnight frost that could be quite sharp in some localities. Light winds for a time may also allow mist and fog patches to form that could be dense and freezing in rural areas.

These could linger and should this be the case, then there could be some very low daytime temperatures about this time.

The run up to the festive period should see milder, perhaps windy unsettled weather returning, with the rain perhaps preceded by a little sleet or snow, but a 'green' rather than a 'white' Christmas seems likely yet again this year.

A colder spell could follow around Boxing Day or just after, but this should be brief with milder unsettled weather probably returning before the end of December.

Temperatures

The mean average temperature should be close to or somewhat above normal, with colder spells mainly dry and frosty rather than snowy. Month end may also begin to see a change to colder weather, but this seems more likely early into the New Year.

Rainfall

It will probably be a wetter than average month again, with some heavy rain possible at times. The first half should be wetter than the second, with the only dry spell of note, most likely around or just after mid-month.

Sunshine

The sunniest weather should occur around mid-month and just after Christmas, but lingering patches of fog and low cloud will probably cause variations. At other times sunny intervals are most likely between showers, with totals across the region expected to be close to or perhaps slightly above normal for the time of year.