A white Christmas could be on its way with a cold snap forecast for the festive season.
Sunny skies covered many areas yesterday, including those worst hit by Storms Arwen and Barra.
The temperature was a fine 7C in Newcastle, in a region where thousands went without power.
It was even warmer in London, at 9C with sunshine and cloud.
But by this time next week, the country will experience plunging temperatures, with possible snow for many parts of the country.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “We’ve had a few days of settled weather, we’ve been above average. From Wednesday onwards, lower pressure is moving in.
"For the Christmas period, it turns more unsettled and there is a risk of rain and snow.
“How much of the country will see rain, sleet or snow remains to be seen.”
For a Met Office definition of a White Christmas, one snowflake needs to be observed falling on December 25.
There have been four white Christmases in the past six years.
Over the next few days, the warmest places are expected to be Scottish mountain-tops, which will poke above cold air into a milder “temperature inversion”.
By the end of the month, more stormy weather is on the way, with another “snow bomb” forecast.
Severe gales and winds have been forecast, following the unseasonably warm temperatures brought by Storm Arwen and Barra.
However, that’s set to change just a couple of days after Christmas.
Weather forecasters, Netweather.tv, have predicted that on December 27 temperatures will plummet and brutal conditions will commence with five storms before the end of winter, My London reported.
The new storm, dubbed Storm Corrie, could see 1cm of snowfall in the north west of the UK.
BBC Weather predicts that December 27 will be 5C with sleet showers and a gentle breeze.
Weather forecasters WXCharts have mapped out where snow is predicted to fall, demonstrated by a wall of purple on the map.
The Met Office has issued a long term prediction for the long festive weekend, including the date Storm Corrie is expected to wreak havoc.
UK 5 day weather forecast
This Evening and Tonight:
Low cloud and fog affecting eastern parts of England, spreading northwards and westwards. Clear spells across the north and west allowing a frost in places. Windy across far southwest.
Saturday:
Low cloud and fog affecting much of England and Wales, where it will feel rather cold, though some sunshine is possible in the west. More widely sunny across Scotland.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Dry but mostly cloudy, with long-lasting fog in places on Sunday, but brighter across parts of Scotland. Feeling fresher for most on Tuesday. Generally light winds, but becoming rather cold.
