The north of Scotland could be set for a white Christmas this year after the Met Office predicted snowfall on December 25.
Forecasters warned that “some snow” could be expected over higher ground in the north, while the bookies have made Aberdeen one of the most likely places in the UK to see some of the white stuff.
A statement posted on the Met Office website said: “High pressure is likely to dominate from mid December, with fairly ‘blocked’ conditions becoming established across the UK.
“This weather pattern would lead to drier than average conditions and lighter winds.
“Interludes of more unsettled weather are expected to be fairly limited, although these could still lead to some snow over high ground in the north.
“It is likely to be rather a cold period, with temperatures below average for the time of year, and a continued risk of overnight frosts.
“Whilst it may be relatively mild at times, temperatures on the whole through this period are likely to be below average.”
Meanwhile, bookmaker Ladbrokes is offering odds of 2/1 for a white Christmas in Aberdeen, with similar prices for Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Further south, odds are set at 3/1 for Newcastle and Belfast and 4/1 for London.
Earlier this month, the Met Office warned that Britain was facing a chilly winter as the polar vortex above the Arctic moves south bringing frosty conditions.
The forecaster defines a White Christmas as one snowflake falling in the 24 hours of December 25 somewhere in the UK.
The last widespread UK White Christmas was in 2010.