UK weather forecast: Britain braces for 'transition' as high pressure regime replaced by dominant unsettled wind storm

The latest weather maps suggest cold north-westerly winds between December 23 and 25 - firing in wintry showers, particularly to northern and western areas.

It predicts that cold north-westerlies will not travel any further south than northern Scotland, and keeps the rest of the UK in mild air.

According to Netweather forecaster Ian Simpson, it "remains too early" to say whether the UK will see a white Christmas.

But added, that northern Scotland "in particular currently looks to have a fair chance of seeing one".

Simpson said: "What's more certain is that prior to Christmas we will see a transition away from the current high pressure regime.

"And towards a somewhat more unsettled, and at times windy, westerly type, with mild weather dominating in the run up to Christmas, prior to the potential for cold north-westerlies to set in near Christmas."

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Next week, the weather is set to turn more unsettled as high pressure moves away to the south and frontal systems move in at times from the North Atlantic.

Simpson said: "Through Monday and Tuesday, an area of cloud and light rain, most of the rain in the west, will spread southwards through the country.

"But with the potential for some heavier rain to affect the southern half of England on Tuesday before the band clears away.

"Behind the band there will be some sunshine and scattered showers, and on Tuesday much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England look set to have a sunny day."

Mild and cloudy conditions are set to return on Wednesday with some light rain at times.

Weather maps also show more wind later in the week, with potential for gales in exposed areas in the north.

Simpson said: "The big uncertainty sets in towards next weekend when it remains unclear whether we will stay in a mild, drizzly, cloudy regime or see cold north-westerlies spread in with sunshine and wintry showers, bringing the possibility of some areas seeing a white Christmas."