If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas this year, don’t hold your breath.

The Met Office has said that Brits are set to be “disappointed” by a mild and grey day on December 25.

Christmas Day is likely to be settled, cloudy and dry with light winds for most of the UK, the forecaster said.

There is a small chance of rain across north-west Scotland though temperatures are expected to be widely mild, dashing any hopes of snow.

What makes a white Christmas and how common is it in the UK?

For the Met Office to declare a white Christmas, a single snowflake has to be observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25 anywhere in the UK.

It is usually a common occurrence because since 1960 more than half of all Christmas Days have been declared a white Christmas.

When was the last white Christmas in the UK?

The last white Christmas in the UK was very recent (in 2023) when 11% of weather stations recorded snow falling although none reported any snow lying on the ground.

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Dan Harris, of the Met Office, said: “Current indications are that more settled conditions are likely to develop from Christmas Eve onwards, with the majority of the UK coming under the influence of high pressure.

“The exception however may be north-west Scotland where there is a reasonable chance of further wind and rain.

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“Christmas Day itself is likely to be settled, often cloudy, and dry with light winds for the majority.

“Once again, the far north may be windier, with a small chance of further rain across north-west Scotland.

“Temperatures are expected to be widely mild, so if you are hoping for a blanket of snow across the country on Christmas Day, I’m sorry to say you will be disappointed.”