UK weather latest: Christmas Day will be hotter than Istanbul and Madrid

Mild and breezy day predicted, with slim chances of snow

Parts of the UK will be hotter than Istanbul or Madrid on Christmas Day.

Chances of a white Christmas are slim as temperatures reach up to 12C, the Met Office said.

Some areas could even see higher temperatures, Steven Keats, a forecaster at the Met Office, told The Independent.

While Madrid will experience temperatures as high as 10C and Istanbul around 11C, a mild and breezy day is predicted for the UK.

"In the south and southeast, it's mild, it's cloudy, very similar to what we've seen for the last few days. Quite windy as well," Mr Keats said.

Mixed weather is expected for much of Christmas Day, he said. "There's a band of rain, currently affecting western Scotland, which tomorrow will be working its way rapidly southeastwards," he added.

"Other parts of west Wales and southwest England will be turning ret and rainy as well. Most of Scotland and Northern Ireland are in for colder weather towards the end of the day."

But some parts of the UK could see the potential for snow.

"The fun begins late in the day, as the colder air mingles with this weather and brings some risk of snow. Parts of southern and eastern Scotland could see now."

"There will be cold weather for a few days after that."

The week leading up to the New Year could see more snow, Mr Keats said, adding there could be ice "at the very least."

"It will generally be on the cold side, with some showers in the north and overnight frost to contend with.

He added: "It will be a good bit colder than it's been over the last few days. It's going to feel a bit more seasonal."