UK weather: Britain braces for snow and rain as Met Office issues weather warnings

The UK is bracing for snow and downpours in the coming days, with the Met Office issuing weather warnings and telling people to prepare for travel disruption.

Forecasters predict up to 20cm of snow could fall in parts of Wales in the coming days, after downfalls in Scotland on Thursday.

Flurries covered much of the South last weekend, and the upcoming drifts in Wales could stretch eastwards into England as far as the Cotswolds.

A yellow weather warning for snow is in place for Scotland on Friday, with temperatures plummeting to -6.8C (-20F) in Aberdeenshire overnight.

There are warnings that snowy conditions could bring “significant disruption” across the region until midday on Friday.

Scotland is also facing a yellow warning for rain down the coast between Perth and Aberdeen.

Meanwhile, heavy rain is also expected in the South West of England, and there are 58 flood warnings and more than 200 flood alerts in place across the country, meaning urgent action is required.

A yellow warning for Wales and parts of England has been issued for Saturday.

The warnings tell people to prepare for some disruption to travel, and that remote areas may become cut off and that there is a chance of power cuts too.

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said: “For now, Wales and parts of the Midlands look most at risk of snow, with 3-7cm possible at low levels and more on higher ground.

“10-15cm is possible above 200m, with a very low risk of 20cm for the highest parts of Shropshire and Snowdonia. A yellow warning of snow has been issued by the Met Office, valid from 3am to 8pm on Saturday.

“Strong winds will bring the risk of blizzards and drifting too.”

Meanwhile, the rain warning in place for Friday night and into Saturday across much of Cornwall and Devon states that “surface water flooding and travel disruption” are likely.

Robinson added: “Heavy rain will be more of an issue for southern England and the Met Office has issued a yellow rainfall warning for the South West.

“It’s valid from 8pm on Friday until 3pm on Saturday. Southwest England will see 20-30mm of rain, with up to 50mm in places. Surface water flooding is possible.

“Ireland will also see a mix of rain, sleet and hill snow on Saturday.

“On Sunday, another system will move in from the South West, bringing the risk of further snow to parts of the South.”

According to the Met Office, the UK has experienced its snowiest spell since January 2019, with 20 weather stations in England getting 5cm (2in) of snow or more for three days in a row.

But temperatures are likely to rise in some parts of southern England and Wales next week from Tuesday, as warm air moves in from the Atlantic, and temperatures could hit as high as 11C (52F).

(c) Sky News 2021: UK weather: Britain braces for snow and rain as Met Office issues weather warnings