UK weather latest: Will 'Storm Barbara' give us a white Christmas?

The weather is set to intensify over the holiday period

File photo of a snow covered Greenwich Park, London (PA Wire/PA Images)

The UK is to be set for unsettled weather over the holiday period, as heavy winds and rain are set to blow in from the Atlantic, potentially gaining storm strength on Christmas Eve.

If the weather continues to deteriorate, a storm could be declared – which would be named Storm Barbara – making it the second named weather system of the season.

However, Storm Barbara is not guaranteed, though the weather is likely to be unpleasant.

“The weather is likely to be unsettled from Tuesday to Thursday,” said Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon, “particularly in north west Scotland.”

But it’s unlikely to be a white Christmas. There is a small chance of wintery showers in the higher areas of Scotland, but the rest of the UK is more likely to experience wind and rain.

UK Snow Updates tweeted: “We'll be keeping an eye on Storm Barbara just in case. Expectations seem to be wet and windy at this time.”

The winds could be strong enough to turn into gales, with some forecasters predicting gusts of 50 – 70 mph in the north west later in the week.

There is the potential for travel disruption as the weather picks up around Thursday.

At the weekend, there was major travel disruption as fog descended on airports in the south, causing massive delays and cancellations.

Misery for air travellers is set to continue, as a wave of strikes is set due. Around 1,500 baggage handlers across 18 British airports are set to strike for 48 hours from 23 December; up to 4,500 British Airways cabin crew members based at Heathrow will strike on December 25 and 26 and Southern Railway conductors are due to hold a two-day strike from Monday, and over the New Year.