Mild weather set to stay through Christmas

With just a few days to go until the festive holidays begin, what weather can we expect this Christmas?

After the mild, unsettled start to December the Met Office say it looks likely that this theme will continue through until the end of the year with some spells of windy, wet weather but also drier, brighter periods with some showers. Although temperatures will remain above average, there will be some cooler days and nights with wintry showers possible over hills and mountains in the north of the UK and some overnight frosts.

Going into Christmas Eve, a low pressure system to the northwest of the UK will bring a spell of wet and windy weather for most, with gales or severe gales in the northwest of the UK and perhaps locally storm force winds over parts of the Outer Hebrides.

Met Eireann have named this Storm Eva, the fifth officially named storm of the season, because they have issued an orange wind warning for counties Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal.

Watch the latest track of Storm Eva here: https://youtu.be/WEFe7niOth8

Met Office National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued for severe gales affecting the Western and Northern Isles of Scotland. This could cause disruption to transport and communication links for a time.

Brighter, showery conditions will follow the rain, the showers wintry in the north.

On Christmas Day, northern and eastern parts will be brightest with a chilly, frosty start in the north and some wintry showers. Further south, it is likely to be cloudier with rain soon arriving in the southwest of England and spreading northeastwards through the day. It will turn milder as the rain sets in, so we're expecting a green Christmas rather than a white one for the majority of the UK.

The forecast for Boxing Day is less certain, but rain is likely to affect northern and western parts with mild conditions across the south of the UK.

If youre spending Christmas in Devon, the regional forecast for the next five days is as follows:

Showers at first, but mostly dry by afternoon with plenty of sunshine and just the risk of an isolated shower. It will feel cooler and fresher than Tuesday, despite lighter winds. Cloud amounts will gradually increase late in the day. Maximum Temperature 12°C.

Tonight:
Cloud will continue to thicken this evening and winds will become increasingly strong through the night. Patchy rain will push in from the west, and it will turn milder. Minimum Temperature 7°C.

Thursday:
Rain will turn heavier and more persistent on Christmas Eve morning with winds touching gale force, before clearing east by afternoon. Sunny spells will then develop along with isolated showers. Maximum Temperature 9°C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Cool and bright to start Christmas Day. Soon turning milder, wet and windy; this continuing into Boxing Day. Brighter and less breezy weather is then likely to develop during Sunday.