FORECASTERS have today predicted a wet and windy Christmas - perhaps turning colder towards New Year.

In the latest look-ahead for Christmas week issued today, the BBC said the period from Monday December 23 to Sunday December 29 is likely to be 'mild and unsettled' for many.

Forecasters said: "Further spells of wet and windy weather are expected (during this period) with some heavy rain at times.

"Northern and western areas are most likely to see the wettest and windiest weather. Any colder interludes between spells of wet and windy weather are more likely towards the end of the week, with showers possibly turning wintry but most likely only over high ground in the north.

"So does that mean a White Christmas? At the time of writing, the balance of probabilities suggest that the pressure pattern on Christmas Day will be a deep low between Scotland and Iceland, causing mild southwesterlies to affect the country.

"So at the moment, it looks as though those of us who want a white Christmas might have to keep dreaming for another year."

However, they point out that predicting the weather beyond a week ahead 'stretches even the most experienced weather forecaster'.

The next forecast for the Christmas period, and likely to be the most accurate, is due on Monday December 23.