Saturday
A cold day, but plenty of bright sunshine with very clear air. Many places should stay dry all day. A few bands of snow and hail showers will feed from the Irish Sea into north Wales, Cheshire and the north-west Midlands, also the western Peak District and Pennines surrounding Manchester. A few showers toward south-west England and Northern Ireland too. Locally frequent snow for northern Scotland. Chilly northwesterly winds will tend to ease. Highs 1 to 4C.

Saturday night
Dropping quickly below freezing under clear skies early in the night. Rain moves into Ireland and south-western Britain, spreading north & east through the night, turning widely to snow for Wales and the Midlands. Snow is also possible for higher ground in Ireland. Lows -1 to -3C for many, but -5C in rural northern areas, or -10C in Highland Scotland. Winds strengthening to gale force around coasts in the south-west, where temperatures will rise.

Sunday
Fronts move across the country whilst cold air stays in place. For the north Midlands, north Wales, much of northern England, there is a threat of heavy snow for many hours. A tricky mix of rain and snow for central England - snow mainly high ground. Southern regions will just see rain. Largely dry and bright for Scotland, but snow showers in the north. Staying close to freezing for most northern areas, up to 6 or 7C in south-west England.

Sunday
Low pressure to the south of Britain may develop into a potent storm system over northern France and the English Channel, bringing a risk of gales to southern England. A zone of heavy rain may affect south-east England, with a risk of snow over higher ground, perhaps more widespread snow for the Midlands. Disruption to travel may occur. Drier toward the north, although snow showers will be draped around northern coasts. A chilly day, 0 to 5C.