UK weather – live: Met Office issues flooding warning with heavy rain to hit England tonight

There are over 400 of flood warnings and alerts in place across Britain

Related: Waves crash over runway at Shetland’s Sumburgh airport as 85mph winds batter UK

Further yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office, as heavy rain is set to hit large parts of the UK on Saturday evening.

The forecaster expects the weather to impact Newcastle and East Anglia along England’s east coast, with a warning in place from 7pm until midday on Sunday.

Another fresh yellow warning for rain for Cornwall, as well as parts of Devon and Somerset, is due to come into effect at 6pm and last until 6am tomorrow morning.

This comes after an Artic blast wreaked chaos across the UK, with schools closing in north Wales and the Peak District due to snow, ice and sleet.

About 10cm of snow was measured by the Met Office in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, on Thursday, while 9cm was recorded in West Yorkshire.

It comes as heavy rain continues to fall across the country triggering hundreds of flood warnings and alerts across Britain.

As of midday on Saturday, a total of 76 flood warnings and 275 lower level flood alerts are in place for England as heavy rain is set to hit this evening.

Key Points

• Almost 400 flood alerts and warnings in England
• Chance of power cuts and travel chaos
• Snow and ice weather warnings in force today
• Flooding causes travel chaos

[8 February 2024 14:44 · Holly Evans]

Is my school closed today? Latest updates as snow hits UK

More than 100 schools have been forced to close as snow and ice hit large parts of the UK, with commuters facing delays and road closures.

Amber weather warnings for snow have been issued for parts of northern England and north Wales, while a mixture of yellow rain and snow warnings will be in force across the four nations.

As of midday on Thursday, snow had begun to blanket parts of the UK, with the worst yet to come as the Met Office forces up to 25cm in the afternoon.

Read the full article here

[8 February 2024 15:35 · Holly Evans]

RAC advises drivers to wait until conditions improve

RAC breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: “The vast majority of drivers are heavily reliant on their cars, something that’s exacerbated when the weather turns icy or snowy, especially if public transport is impacted and drivers have no choice but to use their cars for trips they consider essential.

“Doing so can carry huge risks however, and it’s vitally important drivers follow guidance from the Met Office and others accordingly whenever there is a warning for severe weather issued – especially if it is an amber or even rare red warning.

“Waiting until conditions improve might well be the safest and best course of action.

“If a driver has made the decision that it is safe to set out in snow and ice, it’s important drivers always check their cars and adjust their driving styles to cope with whatever wintry conditions are thrown at them.

“A car’s braking distance can increase by up to 10 times when there’s snow and ice on a road, meaning it’s vital to check all tyres have plenty of tread and slow down considerably to reduce the chances of a collision.”

[8 February 2024 16:25 · Matt Mathers]

In pictures: Snow falls in parts of the UK

A runner in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire (PA)

Sheep walk through snow on the Glenshane Pass in the Sperrin Mountains of County Londonderry/Derry (PA)

Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire is covered in a layer of snow (PA)

People walk through the snow in Pavilion Gardens, Buxton (Getty Images)

A snow plough on Woodhead Pass, near Dunford Bridge, South Yorkshire. (PA)

[8 February 2024 17:19 · Matt Mathers]

Icy weather in Northern Ireland threatens to disrupt travel

A band of rain, sleet and snow is threatening to disrupt travel in parts of Northern Ireland on Thursday and into Friday morning.

Sub-zero weather conditions are affecting parts of the UK this week, with dozens of schools closed in northern England and north Wales, and travel disruption expected throughout the day.

Full report:

[8 February 2024 18:03 · Matt Mathers]

13 flood warnings in place as UK hit with snow and near freezing temperatures

Thirteen flood warnings are in place as the UK is hit with snow and near freezing temperatures.

The Bristol, Hull and Scarborough areas are among some of places where the warnings are active.

The warnings mean “flooding is expected”. Some 176 less serious flood alerts are also in place across England.

[8 February 2024 18:40 · Matt Mathers]

Minor road traffic collisions in north Wales

North Wales Police have reported that minor traffic collisions have been reported due to the ongoing bad weather, with rural areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham particularly affected.

Drivers have been urged to “take extra care” and to use main roads when travelling around.

[8 February 2024 21:57 · Matt Mathers]

Power cuts and travel disruption possible

Power cuts and travel disruption are possible on Friday as an Arctic blast brings more snow and ice to the UK.

Yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place throughout Friday across all four nations, with forecasters urging people to “be cautious”.

It comes after dozens of schools were forced to shut on Thursday due to the adverse weather conditions.

[8 February 2024 22:00 · Matt Mathers]

ICYMI: Heavy snow headed to the UK as Met Office issues yellow warning

A band of heavy snow could cause disruption later this week, with as much as 20cm possible in higher areas.

Temperatures will drop as the week goes on, with a yellow snow warning issued which covers much of Wales as well as northern and central England, the Met Office said.

Full report:

[8 February 2024 23:00 · Matt Mathers]

Snow mapped: Where will wintry showers hit UK this week as temperatures plunge to -10C

A blanket of snow is set to fall upon parts of the UK as the Met Office forecasts wintry showers this week as temperatures may plunge as low as -10C.

These maps show the parts of the country where snow is most likely to fall:

[9 February 2024 00:01 · Matt Mathers]

ICYMI: February freeze hits rail, air and ferry travel

“The return of the Beast from the East” – that’s one warning about the latest bout of extreme winter weather to hit the UK, which says the predicted snow, ice and rain could be as bad as the February 2018 storm.

Full report: