Nature confused by mild Christmas in UK where daffodils are blooming

The department stores and shopping streets are beautifully lit and decorated, but Christmas is not exactly in the air in Britain, where unexpectedly mild temperatures are causing some daffodils to bloom and some ice rinks to suspend operations.

Forecasters at the government’s Met Office say temperatures are expected to remain “exceptionally mild” in the run-up to Christmas.

The prediction is that the mercury will approach 16C over the weekend — several degrees higher than what is normal at this time of year.