The UK is set for an unsettled week of weather ahead of Christmas Day this Friday.
Heavy rain will affect parts of England and Wales on Wednesday which will begin to clear on Thursday.
It is expected to be frosty to begin with on Christmas morning but it will stay mainly dry.
However on Boxing Day, we will see outbreaks of rain and showers accompanied by strong winds.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said: “The heaviest rain is likely to develop during Wednesday afternoon and evening and continue overnight before clearing away south-eastwards by Thursday morning.
“Parts of East Anglia, the Midlands and Wales are likely to see 20-40 mm through this period and some places may see as much as 50-70 mm of rain. There will also be some strong winds during Wednesday evening and overnight.
“We expect temperatures to dip from the middle of the week as colder air moves down from the north across the country."
Here is the Met Office forecast:
"After early rain in the south Christmas Eve will be a dry day with sunny spells for many. Showers are expected for some coastal areas, more especially for North Sea coasts which could fleetingly turn to sleet or snow with the greatest chance of any accumulations over the North York Moors.
"An area of high pressure is expected to the west of the UK on Christmas Day bringing cold and generally dry conditions for most. After a cold, frosty start it will stay mainly dry with sunny periods.
"Coastal showers in the east should soon fade. Through the day cloud will increase from the northwest and could be thick enough for light rain or snow over higher ground in the north. Milder, more unsettled conditions will reach north-western parts of the UK before the end of the day.
"Boxing Day (Saturday) will see a return to unsettled weather with outbreaks of rain and showers in the northwest gradually spreading southwards accompanied by strong winds. Snow is likely over higher ground in Scotland.
"It is expected to stay unsettled for the rest of the weekend and in the run up to New Year. Outbreaks of rain, heavy showers and strong winds are likely, and there is an increased chance of snow down to lower levels in places."
