Christmas Day
A mild and windy day for England & Wales, widely 10 to 12C. Gales around south-western coasts. Central, south & eastern regions will stay largely dry all of daylight. Generally cloudy, a little sun east. A zone of rain affects southern Scotland, north-west England and Wales, plus eastern Ireland - some prolonged heavy falls. Much of northern Scotland should escape dry, and Northern Ireland may also become dry, but cooler here at 5 to 7C.

Christmas night
A frontal system moves quickly eastwards during the evening, bringing a spell of heavy rain across England, accompanied by sudden squally winds. Temperatures will drop quickly behind a cold front. On the northern edge of this system, snow will affect the hills of central-southern Scotland, and increasingly the Pennines. Wintry showers will follow across the west & north, possible hail and thunder. Skies clearing in central areas. Lows 0 to 4C.

Boxing Day
A bright day for many areas, in between weather systems. Areas of wintry showers for northern Scotland, and also around Irish Sea coasts - snow mostly confined to the hills. Cloud breaking to give occasional sunshine. A developing low moves into south-western Britain and Ireland later, bringing heavy rain, turning to snow over Welsh hills, and winds strengthening to gale force around exposed coasts. Cooler than previous days, highs 4 to 8C.

Wednesday
An area of low pressure moves across southern Britain. Fronts crossing central England & Wales in the early hours bring a spell of rain, or snow over the hills of Wales. Sleet or wet snow may also affect the Midlands. Residual rain and sleet affects eastern England into the daytime. Brightening skies with sunny spells. Wintry showers near coasts in the north & west. Strong northerly winds, gales in the south-east. Chilly, just 2 to 5C.