With less than a fortnight to go, hopes of a White Christmas are fading, at least according to the Chronicle’s weatherman Jonathan Powell.

"With the Atlantic still looking dominant over the festive period. With a westerly flow, the generally damp and at least reasonably mild conditions look set to nudge out any colder air building in from the north and east, meaning that a green Christmas is more likely than a white one," said Jonathan.

"Whilst snow is now highly unlikely, it will turn a touch colder during Christmas itself, with mid to late January, then February, possibly harboring the worst that winter can throw at us."