Another complex situation on Wednesday and into Christmas Eve. Firstly showers will continue over Coastal areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland and North West England. Particularly in NI and NW England some parts may only have rain/sleet on the coasts with Snow more for Inland areas. The area around Manchester could see some more persistent showers adding to accumulations inland perhaps with rain/sleet on the coast. Icy roads will be a problem for some along with freezing fog so take extra care when out and about.

The main focus of the day is towards the evening as LOW pressure to the South West of the UK brings some showers moving North/North East. These may merge towards the evening. In the South West and the majority of the south this should be of rain. Some slightly milder air will be trying to nudge in but this may clash with the cold air currently in place. There is alot of uncertainity over this situation at the moment as to whether this precipitation turns to snow over East Wales, much of the Midlands and Northern areas of England. It looks very marginal at the moment. The GFS seems to suggest any snow will be more towards the NW but different sources have been suggesting other areas may see snow. The risk of any snow is greatest during the evening and overnight into Christmas Eve. We have currently put this large area under 'Sleet' at the moment due to the uncertainity. Precipitation could be rather heavy which may help in the chances of Snow. The band could be rather slow moving so should snow fall accumulations could be rather significant leading to travel disruption. However there is still a chance much of this could be rain.

UKASF will issue an Update to this on Wednesday afternoon regarding the forecast into the evening and into Christmas Eve as it is far too uncertain to favour a particular outcome currently.