Are we heading for a white Christmas in Devon this year?

Devon is unlikely to see a white Christmas this year, according to the Met Office, with the chances of snow falling on 25 December described as low for most of the UK.

Low pressure is expected to continue dominating the UK’s weather through the rest of this week and into the weekend, bringing spells of rain at times. With ground already saturated in some areas, rain warnings have been issued for Thursday, and the Met Office says further warnings may be needed as the weekend approaches.

Conditions are expected to gradually turn drier next week as high pressure builds to the north-east of the UK.

However, forecasters say it may take until midweek for more widespread dry weather to develop, eventually leading to generally drier and brighter conditions than seen recently.

Strengthening easterly winds will make it feel colder across Devon and the South West, although the Met Office has said temperatures are not expected to be extreme for the time of year.

Looking ahead to Christmas Day, occasional showers remain possible, but the likelihood of snow is low. Any wintry showers that do develop are expected to be isolated and mainly over higher ground in the east and south of the UK, rather than in Devon.

The Met Office defines a “white Christmas” as a single snowflake being observed falling anywhere in the UK during the 24 hours of 25 December, as recorded by an official observer or automated weather station.

Forecasters are advising people to keep checking the Met Office forecast for the latest updates, as weather conditions can change closer to Christmas.