Hopes of a white Christmas look set to be blown away.

Mild weather has swept across much of Britain – bringing temperatures in Yorkshire today of up to 14C (57F) – and the unseasonal weather will last into next week.

There had been some indications that the weather was to turn colder towards the end of the month, raising hopes of snow on Christmas Day.

But the latest predictions are pointing to storms rather than a sprinkling of the white stuff.

The Examiner’s weather expert, Salendine Nook-based Paul Stevens, is dusting off his record books due to the mild temperatures.

“Last night in Huddersfield temperatures fell no lower 11.8C (54F),” said Paul. “The highest UK minimum temperature is 15C in Flintshire in 1994.

“Already this morning its 13.6C in Huddersfield town centre . We might – if we see some sunshine – be reaching for the record books yet again.

Paul Stevens, Examiner weatherman

“Thursday will bring a mostly dry if windy morning and still very mild with 14C not out of the question before rain and drizzle blows in from the west this afternoon. The odd heavy burst is likely over the Pennines before it clears this evening.”

Friday will be mild, damp and windy with possible gales and 45mph gusts on Saturday with heavy rain later.

Looking ahead, Paul said it was likely to become wetter and windier heading towards Christmas.

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“At this stage a number of deep lows look likely to affect Kirklees and Calderdale through Christmas Eve and Boxing Day making for a wet and very windy Christmas period.

“We will lose the exceptionally mild air from this week as we go into next week with temperatures cooling to slightly above normal.”

The mild temperatures are encouraging spring bulbs to sprout. Daffodils are in bloom as far north as Chester and Northern Ireland.

The bookies are now taking bets on the warmest Christmas instead of a white one.

The Met Office said it’s been the fourth mildest start to December across the UK since 1960.

Despite a band of rain heading over Britain from the west today, the Met Office said temperatures are around 7C above average.