It's something we ask every year: Will it be a white Christmas?

Well, we hate to be the bearers of bad news but if the forecast is anything to go by, it looks like snow is unlikely.

Storm Barbara will be tracking eastwards to the north of Scotland and bringing wet and windy weather with it. 

Coastal counties in Connacht and Ulster could see stormy conditions over the weekend. 

Today, December 23rd, is set to become increasingly windy as the day goes on with heavy rain as the storm depression off the northwest coast tracks northeastwards.

However, it will be a generally mild day today with top temperatures of around 8 to 11 degrees.

The rain will eventually clear to scattered showers and it will turn colder with some showers turning wintry in the evening.

Christmas Eve will be cold and showery at first with good sunny spells - but it will become cloudy with rain spreading eastwards later.

Speaking to Newstalk.com earlier today, Santa Claus assured us that the weather will not impede his journey and the sleigh is prepared for all weather conditions

We will be tracking his journey across the world on Christmas Eve and you can follow along on here and on our new apps. 

Christmas Day will see the heavy rain turn to scattered showers and will remain windy throughout the day.