A low pressure system is set to bring snow, hail or rain on Christmas Eve, while southern and eastern parts of the country will likely see snow on Christmas day, the German Weather Service (DWD) said in a statement.

With Germany and much of Europe gripped by biting cold since late last week, forecasters had warned that warmer temperatures around Christmas were likely to bring only rain.

But snow is now looking more likely, the DWD said. Snowflakes are expected to blanket the southeast on Wednesday, while the rest of the country will see brighter patches with only isolated snow and rain.

Thursday, which is also Christmas Eve, will see drier weather with patches of sunshine to the east while the west will likely get some snow and a high risk of black ice with temperatures around -2 to -4 degrees Celsius.

By Christmas day on Friday, the southern and eastern parts of the country will have the highest chance of snowfall. In southern Bavaria, there could even be an abundance of fresh now, with temperatures between -1 and -5 degrees.

Click here for The Local’s weather forecast.