Hopes for White Christmas as Met Office forecasts snow – amid warnings of travel chaos from ice

BRITS hoping desperately for a White Christmas might just be in luck as forecasters have predicted snow over the festive period.

The Met Office also warned of travel chaos due to ice, as temperatures plunge as low as -4C this week to kick off a cold snap.

The Met's long range forecast for December 19 to January 2 said that a "transition between the cold and mild conditions" in this period brings the "risk of rain, with sleet and snow".

Dustings of the white stuff are most likely to be seen on higher ground, especially in the Scottish Highlands.

Other areas may be less fortunate and see more of a damp Christmas with sleet or rain showers.

Any snow will come after a prolonged period of "below average" temperatures which are set to numb British fingers in the coming weeks.

However, the Met did say that the forecast remains "uncertain un the second half of December".

The organisation added: "The signal for below average temperatures does weaken, especially in southern and western areas, where it could also be wetter and windier at times, with the north and east most likely to hold on to colder conditions for longest."

Yesterday, the first flurries of snow this winter hit the Pennines, with more forecast this week, particularly in northern parts.

A yellow weather warning for snow covers most of northern Scotland across all of Wednesday.

The Met says that roads and railways in these areas are "likely" to be affected by the freezing conditions.

Temperatures are predicted to take a dive in the middle of the week, with a frosty -4C forecast by Friday.

The winter chill is seemingly here to stay, as the mercury hovers around freezing in most areas into next week.

The forecast for tonight sees showers clearing away to the East to make way for a chilly, frosty night.

Tomorrow is set to see dry, and even sunny, conditions for most areas, while remaining "cold and breezy".