The Met Office has issued a "severe" weather warning as torrential rain is set to hit today and well into Saturday across the southwest parts of the UK.
Bands of heavy showers will bring a chance of flooding to South Wales, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Gloucestershire.
More than two inches could fall in just a few hours, and it will be a wet start to the weekend.
And it will be another frosty start today, though brighter spells could break up the gloomy conditions in some areas.
Announcing the Yellow weather warning this morning, the Met Office said: "Bands of heavy, at times thundery, showers are expected to affect parts of southwest England from Friday morning until later on Saturday.
"Whilst most areas will see a rather wet spell, not everywhere will see the heaviest downpours.
"Where they do occur, 20-40 mm may fall in 6-12 hours, with perhaps around 50 mm falling in 24 hours – most likely across southeast-facing coasts and moors of Devon and Cornwall.
"Showers may also contain small hail at times."
Meanwhile, forecasters have warned the UK could sit in a "battleground" of cold temperatures next week as the mercury plummets following murky weekend conditions.
SPONSORED: Save £100s off your energy bill every year
Switchcraft finds the best deal for you – and continues to switch you on to cheaper deals, so you never have to do it yourself.
- Sign up to Switchcraft for free and get £5 cashback – here.
£5 cashback is paid into your bank account within 4 months of completing the switch. Pre-paid meter customers will receive a £5 Amazon voucher. Promotion ends 31/12/18. Open to those aged 18 and over. UK residents only. Click here for full T&Cs.
NewsUK has a brand partnership with Switchcraft.
Sara Thornton, director of digital weather company Weathertrending, told The Sun Online: "After a less cold few days, chillier air will start to seep back from the northeast by the start of next week, bringing a return to night frosts and perhaps a few wintry showers.
"The cold air is being brought by a large block of high pressure to our northeast, fending off milder Atlantic winds.
"However computer forecasts are increasingly ‘keen’ that the jet stream will blow the block of high pressure away after midweek, ushering in higher temperatures, wind and rain.
"The UK could sit in a battleground between mild and cold air later next week, and at the boundary between the two, some snowfall is possible."
Met Office Meteorologist Alex Deakin said icy cold winds and frosty fog patches will continue to grip the nation.
There were showers overnight in northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England, with cloud crossing eastern areas, "sticking like glue" and making it damp and drizzly this morning.
Clearer conditions across the west saw temperatures dip to below zero, even in towns and cities.
Rural areas felt a chill first thing this morning, with people forced to scrape the frost off their cars after temperatures dropped to -3C, or as low as -6C in one or two places.
Parts of the country, including Exmoor, Wales, the Peak District and the Pennines, were blanketed in the white stuff while Surrey, Sussex, Kent and even London saw some flurries on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Snow settled on hills in the South of England, including the Chilterns, Salisbury Plain, The Berkshire and Wiltshire Downs and parts of The Costwolds.
The highest areas of the UK saw much heavier snow, especially in northern England, Wales and Scotland.
The Pennines, Cheviot Hills, the Eastern Highlands and the Grampians had settling snow throughout the day, along with surrounding areas.
The Pennines were heavily affected by snow and cars parked at the The Tan Hill Inn – Britain's highest pub at 1732ft above sea level – have been covered by the white stuff.
The Peak District is no stranger to being blanketed in snow, but the heavy showers overnight combined with freezing cold temperatures left residents in awe of the November covering.
Early risers in Brighton were surprised to find their cars covered in snow on Wednesday morning.
Devil's Dyke in East Sussex has been particularly frosty with snow settling on roads and roof-tops.
Christmas came early for residents of Canterbury in Kent, as residents found cars, roads and gardens dusted with a wintry white, getting everyone in the festive spirit before work.
Source: Read Full Article