The odds of Tayside and Fife enjoying a White Christmas are being slashed amid predictions of snow as early as Friday afternoon.
Scotland is on alert for up to eight inches of the white stuff through the weekend, and forecasters are warning of severe gales and plummeting temperatures.
A 1,500-mile-wide weather system of Arctic air is expected to breeze in, hitting the east coast before moving into the Highlands and north of Scotland.
By Friday night there could be as much as eight inches of snow on the Cairngorms and Grampians.
Both the Met Office and the RAC have urged people to be cautious when travelling in icy conditions, with motorists told to pack blankets and a charged mobile phone.
Punters keen for a flutter on a White Christmas can place bets with William Hill at 5/2 for the east and west and 2/1 in the north.
A Met Office forecaster said snow showers will begin on Friday and move to increasingly lower levels over the weekend.
