Temperatures did not fall below 12.4C (54.3F) at both Exeter Airport and East Malling in Kent between 9am on Christmas Eve and the same time on Christmas Day, the Met Office said.

In contrast, forecasters confirmed "some snow falling across the Scottish high ground" on X just after midday on Monday.

Today's highest minimum temperature beats the previous 11.5C (52.7F) record set in Waddon, south London in 1983.

It is unlikely 2023 will become the warmest Christmas Day in 100 years - as this would require conditions of more than 15.6C (60.1F) - the record set in 1920.

Predicted highs between 13C (55.4F) and 14C (57.2F) in London and the South East would make it the mildest Christmas Day since 2016, however, when temperatures reached 15.1C (59.2F).

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"We're drawing our weather from the mid-Atlantic, which is typically a very warm direction for us," forecaster Dan Stroud said.

It comes after the warmest Christmas Eve since 1997 on Sunday, with temperatures of 15.3C (59.5F) recorded in Heathrow, west London and Cippenham, Berkshire.

Wind speeds of up to 70mph were logged in Scotland and 60mph in northeast England.