General situation: A northerly blast of cold wet arctic air with heavy snow over northern areas and wet snow down to the eastern and southeastern lowlands will hit the British Isles this weekend. There will be substantial snow accumulation and drift over northern areas. However, a strong spell of wet and mild westerly air will kill it all off on Tuesday and Xmas Eve.

Christmas Eve: unfortunately confidence is good that there will be no weekend snow to survive, beside some drift remains in gullies on very high grounds. Lots of precipitation for N Ireland, NW England and SW Scotland, but all as rain, even on highest grounds. Mainly dry with many cloud elsewhere, patchy drizzle or light rain. Breezy.

Christmas Day: Not much of a change. Chances for a snow shower on higher ground in the far north are increasing towards evening, but that's already the best part of the news.

Issued Wednesday, 18th Dec, 10:00 am. Updated daily.