Could it be a white Christmas in Spain this year?

It hasn’t been particularly cold winter so far in much of Spain, but according to state meteorological agency Aemet, temperatures are expected to drop the closer we get to Christmas.

The latest forecasts reveal that from Sunday December 21st or Monday, December 22nd, the weather is most likely to change dramatically in much of the country with wintry conditions.

"We are likely to have a cold start to Christmas, with frost in the interior of the peninsula," explained Aemet spokesperson Rubén Del Campo.

There is "a high probability" of snow in the mountain ranges, while the other areas that could turn white from the end of next week include northern Castilla y León​​ and the interior of Cantabria.

Cities such as Burgos or León are the most likely to get snow this Navidad (Christmas) in Spain. Meteorologists have also said Lugo in Galicia (northwest Spain) could have snow at altitudes of 600 metres.

Those in Granada can expect snow below Sierra Nevada, and even people in Alicante's interior could get to enjoy a white Christmas (especially in the municipalities of Ibi, Confrides, Agres and Benimassot).

While it’s unlikely that snow will reach any of the big cities in central Spain such as Madrid or those on the east coast like Barcelona and Valencia, the drop in temperatures could lead to more rainfall, particularly in the Mediterranean area and the Balearic Islands. It also be good news for ski resorts across the Pyrenees and other northern areas.

Cold, yet dry weather will prevail in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula.

After Christmas, the Aemet spokesperson indicated that there is a 60 percent chance that the rest of December, January, and February will be much milder than usual in much of the country. That percentage will be even higher in the Canaries and Balearics.

On the other hand, there is only a 10 percent chance that the winter will be colder than normal.

"It's certainly been quite a few years since we've had a truly cold winter, and the same is true for autumn," Del Campo added.

There may be the odd cold day with frost or even snow in some parts though this winter.

“This is always a forecast for the season as a whole. It doesn't mean that the entire season will be warmer than normal, but rather that periods with relatively mild temperatures for winter will predominate," Del Campo explained.

When it comes to rainfall this winter season is more likely to be wetter than normal than drier, apart from in the Canary Islands and the southwest of the peninsula where there is there a slightly higher probability of it being drier than normal.