General situation: The low pressure system that brought us this brief windy winter interlude is moving off east across S Scandinavia and eventually filling and 'dying' over the Baltic Sea. A building ridge of high pressure across western central Europe will keep any arctic maritime air away from the British Isles tapping mild subtropical Atlantic air instead. Any snow that fell over Scotland, the Welsh Mountains and along the east coast will be blasted away by this strong flow of mild air. With good confidence a very green and windy Xmas seems to be ahead.

Christmas Eve: If you were hoping for a white Xmas set by snow falling on the 24th and a frisky, frosty and bright Xmas Day - this year won't be it. Xmas Eve will be mild, cloudy and windy for almost the entire British Isles. At least it seems also to be dry for the south. Some light rain entering Ireland, N Wales and England later. Some showers NW Scotland and the best chance for a few sunny spells from Northumberland up to Aberdeenshire. 10C to 13C over the south, 8C to 10C over northern areas. Windy.

Christmas Day: Same procedure. An even wetter version of the day before. Dull, mild, windy and wet. Hopefully Santa's not staying at home this year as his Lappland home around the Kirkenes area (Norway) will have some decent snow falling at temperatures between -22C and -18C.

Issued Sunday, 21th Dec, 2:00 pm. Regularly updated.