IT IS the forecast we have all been waiting for, but unfortunately it is not the news we want.

With Christmas just days away the possibility of Basingstoke seeing a white Christmas is now at an all-time low.

But fear not, whilst we won’t see snow, the weather on Christmas day will feel festively cold, dry and bright.

After an unsettled week we are expected to see a cold frosty start to Christmas day before a return to wet and windy weather on Boxing Day.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 23, a yellow weather warning for rain has been issued.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said: “The heaviest rain is likely to develop during Wednesday evening and continue overnight before clearing away eastwards by Thursday morning.

“Much of the area is likely to see 20-40 mm through this period. There is still some uncertainty in exactly where the heaviest rain will fall but there is the potential for some places to see as much as 50-70 mm of rain.

Christmas Eve will feel chilly but dry and residents can expect sunny spells throughout the day.

A cold frosty start is expected on Christmas day with dry sunny conditions and temperatures between one and four degrees Celsius.

On Boxing Day we will see a return to unsettled weather with outbreaks of rain and showers accompanied by strong winds.