A 'snowbomb' is set to descend on Scotland in the final weeks of December with severe gales and heavy winds, forecasters have predicted.
The bout of mild temperatures with 12 degree highs seen this week in Scotland is set to be cut off by an Arctic freeze.
A storm now named Storm Corrie - the third of the winter season - will batter the UK just after Christmas in the wake of Storms Arwen and Barra.
Forecasters at Netweather.co.uk predict that temperatures will plummet on December 27 with brutally cold winds and snow to come.
The new storm could see 1cm of snowfall in the north west of Scotland.
Speaking to The Sun, British Weather Services meteorologist Jim Dale said: "We are expecting one more major storm this month which will set the trend for coming months.
"We expect five to six storms to hit through the winter period which could be severe enough to warrant naming."
Weather forecasters WXCharts have mapped out the storm starting on December 27 when Scotland could see heavy rain up to four mm an hour.
WXChart's forecast for New Years Eve sees a large snowfall zone in the Highlands and north of Scotland.
BBC Weather predicts that December 27 will be 5C with sleet showers and a gentle breeze.
The Met Office has issued a long term prediction for the long festive weekend, including the date Storm Corrie is expected to wreak havoc.
From about Christmas, there is an "increasing chance of more unsettled and windier weather affecting the UK, with rain, and perhaps snow, possible for some places."
The Met Office added: "Temperatures will generally be near to below normal, perhaps rather cold in the south, feeling chilly where any fog persists, and locally mild in the north and northwest."
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