IT will be a wet and windy run-up to Christmas for many, the Met Office has said.

Low pressure is the dominant force for the UK weather approaching Christmas, bringing periods of strong winds and heavy rain for parts of the UK.

The Met Office said this has the potential to be "impactful".

A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued for the Bradford district, starting at 8am and ending at 10pm on Christmas Eve. 

'Chance trips could be disrupted'

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Steven Keates said: "It's a windy weekend for many, with some heavy rain expected too, especially in the west, with a number of weather warnings in force.

"Low pressure to the north of the UK is chiefly responsible for this period of unsettled weather, with a number of weather fronts bringing periods of heavy and persistent rain, particularly in western Scotland and Wales through Saturday and into Sunday.

"Those further east will generally see drier conditions through the weekend, though even here will see some showers at times.

"Temperatures in the south will be very mild for the time of year, likely peaking at around 15C in the far southeast on Saturday."

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis added: "With this latest weather warning affecting a large area of Scotland and parts of northern England, there is the chance travellers' last-minute getaway trips could be disrupted.

"If trains are significantly delayed people are more likely to shift to the roads which could add to already exceptionally high traffic volumes.

"Nationally, we expect around 3.2m separate getaway journeys to be made today by car.

"For this reason, we urge drivers to be on their guard for debris in the road, including branches and possibly even trees, especially along more rural routes.

"Gusty conditions can also make driving more difficult, so it's advisable drivers reduce their speed and stay focused on the road ahead."

What is the latest forecast for Christmas Day?

According to the Met Office, a wet start to Christmas Day is likely for many in the south of the UK, with some further rain also likely in parts of western and southern Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The rain in the south is likely to gradually move further downwards and east through the day, with the far southeast likely to hang on to the rain the longest throughout.

A white Christmas – which is defined by the Met Office as a single snowflake falling on Christmas Day – is likely, with some snow falling over the mountains of central and northern Scotland, and the possibility of some flakes at lower ground in this area for a short period.

Mr Keates said: "It'll be a damp start to Christmas Day for many, though the best of any drier weather is likely in the afternoon as weather fronts gradually move to the south and east.

"However, the far southeast may hold on to the persistent rain the longest through the day."

In Bradford on Christmas Day, it will be cloudy with some rain and temperatures will reach 9C, according to the latest Met Office forecast.

Further ahead 

Looking towards the New Year, despite a drier interlude for many on Boxing Day, the weather will remain unsettled with low pressure bringing breezy and wet conditions for many through the week.