Thursday
A frontal system moves eastwards across southern Britain, bringing heavy rain for much of the day. This will increasingly turn to snow on its back edge by early evening for the southern Midlands and Home Counties. Meanwhile, frequent heavy snow and hail showers affect north-western Britain & Ireland. Risk of thunder. East & north-eastern areas will be frequently dry with sunny spells. Gusty winds, feeling bitterly cold. Highs 1 to 5C.

Thursday night
Rain and snow in the south-east will clear quickly into the continent, allowing skies to clear and ice to form widely. Snow and hail showers continue to affect coastal districts in the west of Britain, also Northern Ireland. A zone of persistent heavy snow spreads from the north into Scotland, extending south into the Borders, north-east England and the Pennines through the night. Gusty winds. Temperatures 1 to -3C.

Friday
A cold day for all regions. A brisk north to north-westerly wind, strongest in the east, local gales. Areas of snow showers, most frequent around coasts in the north & west, also eastern England in the morning. Some bands of snow may extend into the Midlands from the north-west. Otherwise, plenty of sunshine, and many inland areas may remain largely dry. High seas around North Sea coasts. Highs 0 to 4C.

Saturday
A north-westerly breeze continues - not as strong as previous days, but will feel very cold where exposed. A good amount of sunshine in central regions, and staying mainly dry. Areas of snow showers are likely to affect north Wales, possibly also the far south-west, which may turn to rain at low levels. Snow showers possible on some eastern coasts. Risk of ice. Top temperatures just 1 to 5C.