Thursday
A cool start to the day across all parts of the country. There will be a brisk wind blowing over Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as northwest England. Frequent showers in western and northern Scotland, these falling as snow over the hills but also to lower levels at times. Probably drier in eastern Scotland with fewer showers here. More showers in northern and western Ireland but dry to the east and south with good spells of sunshine. Showers in northwest England too, with more scattered ones affecting north and west Wales. Across the rest of England and Wales it's likely to be brighter with sunny spells although feeling cool. Highs at 3C in northern Scotland, 8C in southern England

Thursday Night
More wintry showers at first in Scotland, but these will be fading away to leave conditions dry. Winds increasing in the west by morning as rain arrives. Becoming wet and windy after midnight in Ireland with winds gusting over 70mph here. Drier for the rest of England, Wales and eastern Scotland although by the end of the night it will become breezier. Lows at -1 to 3C.

Friday
Severe gales spreading east through the UK and Ireland as a deep area of low pressure (Storm Barbara) passes between Scotland and Ireland. heavy rain will be forced eastwards by the storm system bringing a wet morning to Scotland, Ireland , Wales and western England. Gusts in excess of 90mph could affect Scotland, 70 to 80mph in northern England and Wales as well as Ireland, 50 to 60mph elsewhere. The rain passes the rest of England and Wales in the afternoon with blustery showers following into the west. The winds staying with us through the night and into Christmas Eve. Highs at 7 to 11C.

Christmas Eve
Low pressure remains north of the UK on Christmas Eve. This brings windy conditions with frequent showers or longer spells of ria in Scotland, snow over the higher ground here. Showers on western coasts and hills but drier i the east. However, by the evening more gales are going to return to Ireland as the next storm system arrives. This pushes severe gales back through Ireland, Wales and England as well as southern Scotland on Christmas Eve evening. Gusts in excess of 70mph are likely and snow may affect the Scottish hills together with heavy rain in Wales, northern England, Ireland and the rest of Scotland. Highs near 3 to 10C.