Those dreaming of a white Christmas will be left further disappointed this year after the Met Office forecast no more than frosty conditions for the UK.
Temperatures across most of the country will stay in mid-single figures on Thursday and Friday, and no snow was expected to settle.
Despite a wet start to the week, the Met Office said the mercury would start to fall, meaning people would need to wrap up for their winter walks.
Meteorologist Tom Morgan said temperatures could drop to -3C in parts of England and Wales on Christmas Eve morning.
Temperatures in London and the south of England are expected to reach a high of 6C on 24 December and 5C on Christmas Day. Similarly low temperatures of 4C and 5C are forecast for parts of the north including Manchester.
Morgan said it would be dry for the vast majority of the UK and a cold and frosty start to Christmas Day, particularly for England and Wales.
“So there will be a seasonal feel in terms of white frost on the ground, but in terms of snow, we’re not anticipating any on the ground for the vast majority of the country, unfortunately.
“Even though it’s not going to be a white Christmas, people will still need their big coats and scarves and hats etc for any walks they may be going on over the Christmas period.”
Morgan said there could be a light covering of snow in some eastern parts of Scotland on Christmas Eve, but that none was expected on Christmas Day.
He said temperatures at the start of the week would be mild for the time of year at between 13 and 14C, compared with the average of between 8 or 9C.
Flood watches are also in place for southern parts of England and Wales following recent bouts of wet weather, and rainfall warnings may be in place for the beginning of the week.
The Eden Project in Cornwall was closed on Sunday after what it described as significant flooding on site overnight. A spokesperson said the botanical gardens would be closed to visitors again on Monday when a further risk assessment will be carried out.
