A TRAVEL warning has been issued with heavy rain sparking flood alerts – as the Met Office warns thunder and hail could batter parts of the UK.
Saturday has already started off wet and windy across most parts of the country.
A car attempted to drive though a flooded road in Cambridgeshire
Strong winds in Dorset this morning caused high tides and flooding
It’s a wet and windy start this morning as a band of rain pushes eastwards across the UK
Swimmers brave the rough seas in Lyme Regis
Vehicles going through a flooded A-road on the Norfolk, Cambridgeshire border
A cyclist braved the floods on the south coast today
Flood barriers in Worcestershire
Warnings are currently in place for England, Wales and Scotland – and are forecast to stay for much of the weekend.
Coming in from the south west, damp conditions are being pushed east by severe winds.
Down on the south coast this morning, winds exceeded 50mph causing high tides to flood pathways.
Hail and thunder could also hit today.
The Met Office said: “Cloud and rain, heavy at times, will clear erratically east by early afternoon with a mixture of sunshine and showers following.
“Some showers likely to be heavy with hail and a chance of thunder. Windy and turning colder later.”
A cold front will gradually move across the UK with parts of Scotland only reaching highs of 5C.
Meanwhile the south east could experience temperatures of 11C.
The weather service has warned heavy rain is likely to bring difficult driving conditions, especially on exposed bridges, causeways and higher routes.
Already under-pressure weekend commuters face bus and train services being affected with journey times taking longer.
With train strikes halting the nation today, people are being advised to take more time when travelling.
More than 84 flood alerts and warnings are in place over the weekend ahead.
It’s seen Environment Agency staff erect flood barriers along the swollen River Severn, Worcestershire, in anticipation of a further increase in water levels.
Land, roads and some properties may flood and there may be travel disruption.
Meanwhile the Met Office has said there could be snow this month – but it’ll be restricted to high ground in the north of the United Kingdom, most likely in the Scottish Highlands.
Meteorologists said: “A westerly regime is most likely for the UK in the first part of January, which means wet and windy conditions for many.
“Rain or showers will often be heaviest and most frequent in the west and northwest but areas further south and east are by no means immune.
“Temperatures are expected to be near or above average overall, with any sleet or snow most likely restricted to high ground in the north.”
