UK weather forecast: Torrential downpours and thunderstorms to hit parts of Britain after icy cold snap

Brits have been warned of a washout weekend after the cold snap
Jeremy Selwyn
Ella Wills22 November 2018

Freezing weather and snow that has swept across Britain is set to make way for torrential downpours, forecasters have warned.

Parts of the UK were blanketed by snow on Wednesday as a cold snap brought icy winds, plummeting temperatures and wintry showers.

Snow fell as far south as Brighton and Devil's Dyke in the South Downs of Sussex, while the mercury plunged as low as -6.3C overnight on Wednesday.

After much of the country woke to a cold start with clear skies and frost on Thursday, the bright morning clouded over in the east, Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell told the Standard. Temperatures are predicted to rise as high as 10C today.

But a washout weekend lies ahead, in particular for southern parts of England where heavy rain will fall from Friday.

The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning for the south west, in place from 6am on Friday until 6pm on Saturday, predicting thunderstorms, hail and flooding in parts during the deluge.

Up to 55mm of rain may fall in the space of 24 hours - most likely across southeast-facing coasts and moors of Devon and Cornwall, the Met Office said.

Britain was covered by a blanket of snow on Wednesday
PA

Londoners should also expect some heavy showers as the wet weather is predicted to move as far as the south east of England on Saturday and may continue into Sunday.

Ms Mitchell said: "There is a bit of an east, west split across the UK today.

A woman walks through the snow in Derbyshire
PA

"It is coldest in the east with some rain in the south. The west is largely bright and sunny.

"It was a frosty start in London this morning, as low as -5.4C in the outskirts.

"Now it's quite a grey day and should stay mostly dry this afternoon."

Snow in November - In Pictures

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The lowest temperature recorded on Wednesday night was -6.3C in Oxfordshire, Ms Mitchell added.

But she said that the mercury could reach double figures in the south on Thursday as temperatures continue to rise towards the weekend.

Ms Mitchell added: "For the weekend as a whole it will be cold and largely cloudy with scattered showers.

"The heaviest will be in the south on Saturday.

Londoners can expect some showers this weekend
Getty

"There is a warning for heavy rain in the south west and we could have some thunderstorms in that area.

"We could have some heavy rain in the south east."

The forecaster warned the cold snap is set to continue next week, adding that by Monday it will still feel quite cold - around 7/8C in parts.

It follows the arrival of some wintry weather this week as the first flurries of snow hit southern and northern England, Wales and Scotland.

Millions woke to frost and icy conditions on Wednesday morning after temperatures plunged to just below freezing overnight.

In the early hours of Wednesday, a heavy dusting of snow fell in counties such as Kent and Dorset in southern England as winter warned it is on its way in Britain.

The AA warned drivers to take extra care as the weather conditions deteriorate.

George Flinton, AA Patrol of the Year, said: "The first really cold snap of winter can catch drivers unaware, putting them at risk.

"Preparation is key. Drivers should allow extra time for journeys, make sure their cars are clear of snow and ice before setting off and ensure they take warm clothes, food and drinks with them in case of unexpected delays.

"They should also make sure they drive to the conditions. So, allow extra space between vehicles and keep speeds down."

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