The Met Office has ruled out snow in the UK this coming week.
It comes despite the nation bracing itself for a bitter cold snap, with temperatures set to plunge from mid-week onwards.
A whiteout had earlier been considered a possibility, but meteorologist John West told the Standard on Sunday that conditions will be too dry for that to happen.
He said: “We are not looking at snow in the next five days. It will turn cold from midweek onwards, with temperatures taking a dip by Wednesday and highs of just 5C or 6C.
“However, Thursday is looking dry, so there are no signs of snow.
"It can’t be ruled out in the obvious places, like the top of Scotland, but UK-wide it’s unlikely.”
On Sunday night, moving into Monday morning, temperatures are set to remain relatively mild - though strong winds will continue.
Mr West added: “What we are going to see overnight is showers coming down from the north. It will be quite windy, and that will turn into snow over the hills and mountains of Scotland.
“Elsewhere, though, it will be dry across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will generally be cloudy, with the north-east of Scotland and north-east of England most prone to overnight frost.
“The winds will ease out by the morning, but there is a possibility of rain in eastern England as well as London.”
Conditions will generally be cloudy in the capital on Monday, with expected highs of 8C in the afternoon.
