Forecasters say there is a “small chance” of wintry weather for parts of the UK at the end of the year – but rain looks more likely for many areas on Christmas Day.

Unsettled conditions and average temperatures for the time of the year are currently being predicted by the Met Office for the days leading up to Christmas.

The biggest chance of rain is expected in the North West through Christmas week.

But the Met Office said there is an increasing chance of snow and ice late in December and into the New Year period.

Sky News weather producer, Christopher England, said the forecast for the festive period remains “very uncertain” because it is still two weeks away, but added: “It really doesn’t look like a white Christmas away from Scottish hills.”

He added: “There’s a small chance of something more wintry developing after Christmas and into the New Year.”

Mr England said the coming days would be “basically unsettled” before a “calmer, drier spell” over the weekend and into next week as Christmas approaches.

“That’ll bring a risk of fog and frost to the south, especially the southeast – rain is most likely in parts of the northwest,” he added.

The Met Office long-range forecast currently predicts most places will be settled this weekend, but Scotland is likely to remain in a “more wet and windy regime”.

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In the days up to Christmas Eve, it says there is the potential for a “return to unsettled conditions and typically average temperatures”.

Although the Met Office says the chance of snow and ice increases into the New Year period, it adds “on balance conditions are more likely to remain generally mild and wet”.

December started with a festive feel in the UK with cold temperatures and snow and ice in some areas.

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When was the UK’s last white Christmas?

The Met Office says “technically” 2022 was a white Christmas.

This was because 9% of its weather stations recorded falling snow – but none reported any snow lying on the ground.

The UK’s last “widespread” white Christmas was in 2010.

The Met Office website states: “It was extremely unusual, as not only was there snow on the ground at 83% of stations (the highest amount ever recorded) but snow or sleet also fell at 19% of stations.”

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