Four days to go for Christmas - It's a forth and back. White Christmas in on and off for northeastern Scotland and northeastern England. Snow above 500m (1500ft) asl seems pretty sure for these areas. Western and southwestern areas are pretty much out. For England chances are increasing with every mile further towards northeast.

The current situation (confidence moderate to reasonable: 50 to 60%)

Scotland: Snowing on higher ground above 500m (1500ft) asl on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There is a certain chance for snow on lower ground in the far east. Some 35%. Not really good, but also not hopeless.

England and Wales: Green and mild for the southwest and west. However, if there is any chance left then for the east, especially around the secon half of Christmas Day.Some 30% for the northeast. 25% for everybody else. This is depending on where air-mass boundary between mild southwesterly air and cold northeasterly air across Europe will eventually come to a rest. Northern Ireland: No snow. A tiny chance for later hours of Christmas Day. Even worse for Ireland. Green and rainy here.

Chances for snow are best for northern and eastern areas. The North Sea waters are still too warm. The same weather situation in January or early February would probably produce alot of snow.

However, stay tuned for tomorrows edition of WeatherOnline's white Christmas countdown.

If you have any questions concerning white Christmas: mail us !