The end of last week marked the start of this season’s first cold snap. The period of cold weather will intensify at the end of 2019 and continue into 2020. An intense low pressure system covering the eastern Mediterranean and parts of the Balkans will persist for much of this week. This will continue drawing frigid air from Russia’s Siberia towards the central Mediterranean. Temperatures will be below average throughout. Maximum temperatures will vary from 10 C on Monday 30/12 to 14 C over the weekend. Minimum temperatures will be at or below 7 C for much of this week, before rising to 8 C / 9 C over the weekend. Winds will be from the North for much of this week, before shifting to the East at the weekend. A series of rain and/or hail showers will occur this week, particularly on Monday 30/12 and Tuesday 31/12. Drier weather is anticipated during the first three days of 2020, before further showers at the weekend. New Year’s Eve will be characterised by rain and/or hail showers during the day, before fading away in the evening. It will be cold with a 12 C high and 7 C high. A Force 5/6 wind from the Northeast will prevail in the daylight hours, before dying down in the evening. New Year’s Day will be brighter with plentiful sunshine and a light wind from the North. A 12 C high and 7 C low will characterise the day.