The UK looks to be set for colder weather and even the possibility of snow for the remainder of December as weather experts suggest a white Christmas could be on its way.
With the country still feeling the effects of the cold snap earlier this month — you only needed to look around Manchester‘s canals to guess how low the thermometer has been — meteorologists are predicting that we haven’t seen the last of it.
According to the Met Office, “cold air and wintry conditions” are on their way in time for Christmas Day and while regions towards the Midlands and the south of England are mainly due for rain and blustery winds, the prospective snow will likely be confined to the north of the UK.
To meet the official criteria of a ‘white Christmas’, just one single snowflake needs to be spotted during the 24-hour period on 25 December, but just how likely is it?
A mild and green #Christmas is on the cards for many this year 🎄 but cold air will be pushing southwards late on Christmas Day into Boxing Day 👇 pic.twitter.com/xTCbp0wbfw
The Met Office has informed various news outlets that while it remains uncertain and less probable that we will see “significant snowfall” on the way, people in elevated areas can expect ‘dustings’ of snow due to the altitude.
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Speaking to the MEN on the chances of the North West and Greater Manchester, specifically, getting a similar treatment, a spokesperson said that the current forecast for Sunday “is likely to contain a mix of rain, sleet and snow with the wintry elements most likely over higher ground.”
At the moment, given that the milder air is dominating more southern regions compared to a colder blast in the north, they are now trying to ascertain “the exact location for the boundary between these two air masses.”
Still, at present, the long-range forecast from Boxing Day to Wednesday, 4 January, includes “a fairly windy and changeable period of weather, with rain, and some snow at times, interspersed with colder, brighter spells”, as well as “more widely colder conditions, overnight frost and crisp but sunny days.”
We technically had a white Christmas in 2021, though there was technically less than 1% of snowfall reported; however, the last widespread white Christmas is generally considered to have taken place over a decade ago in 2010.
Nevertheless, with millions of Brits struggling to heat their homes this winter, there will no doubt be many hoping that we narrowly avoid snowy and icy conditions altogether.
Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
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Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
Danny Jones -
22nd December 2022 
