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Wednesday begins mostly dry and chilly in eastern areas but in the west there are showery outbreaks of rain. Through the day heavy showers spread eastwards across all regions. In northern areas rain increasingly turns to snow and over high ground accumulations are expected.

Maximum temperatures range from 3C (37F) in northern Scotland to 9C (48F) in southern England. Despite it being milder than in recent days a strong wind in the southern half of the country will make it feel quite chilly.

Tonight wintry showers continue across the north and west and for a time they push inland. Snow could fall to low levels at times with accumulations possible in central and northern regions. A widespread frost develops in the north but temperatures in the south probably remain a couple of degrees above freezing point.

Tomorrow all regions have a mix of sunny spells and wintry showers. Further accumulations of snow are likely over higher ground in the north. It will be a cold day with strong wind in the south and west.

Friday and the weekend

A northerly flow brings a continuation of the showery theme on Friday. The air mass won't be as cold as the one which became established late last week but it will be chilly. During the weekend a ridge of high pressure topples in from the west so it should become mainly dry in the southern half of the country. In the north west a milder southwesterly flow brings a risk of cloud and rain.

Dry run up to Christmas?

Next week high pressure probably builds from the south. That should lead to a good deal of dry weather across the southern half of the UK but it may remain changeable in the north. The north is expected to be milder but there is a possibility of foggy conditions and lower temperatures in the south.

The GFS forecast chart below shows high pressure building northwards across the UK early next week.

GFS 00z, 13th Dec, pressure and 500hPa heights, 00:00 GMT Tue 19th Dec

Forecast tools

Check the latest computer model predictions and rain radar using the links below:

Rain and precipitation type radar

Meteo France Arpege forecast charts

Global Forecast System (GFS) forecast charts

Christmas countdown

TWO's annual Christmas Countdown continues.

16 day GEFS ensembles at a glance

Temperatures remain predominantly below average during the rest of this week. Next week milder and drier conditions are favoured in the south. In the north there a greater risk of rain is shown. View latest GEFS.