UK weather: Unseasonably warm temperatures forecast across Britain despite flood warnings

Nearly 100 locations at risk of flooding, while Orkney and Shetland set for double-figure heat

Much of Britain is expected to languish in unseasonably warm weather for the remainder of the festive period, despite flood warnings blighting parts of the south coast.

The Met Office forecasts that parts of Wales could see temperatures soar to the mid-teens, with generally mild conditions expected across the country.

The predictions of warm weather are spread evenly across the UK, with Orkney and Shetland set to enjoy more or less the same double-figure highs as Cornwall.

But flooding is expected in at least 30 southern locations, with a further 67 alerts issued by the Environment Agency.

Over the next five days, groundwater flooding could affect Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Sussex, according to the government’s flood information service, which warned of travel disruption and some damage to properties.

Swathes of England’s south coast have been afflicted by flooding over the past week, with roads and railways in Dorset and Sussex closed by deluges of water, and landslides in Sussex and Surrey also affecting rail travel ahead of Christmas.

But despite disruption in the south and rain in west Scotland, most of the country has experienced mild and dry weather – a trend that looks set to continue over the weekend.

“The reason for the settled weather [is] high pressure over Europe – that’s dominating our picture,” said Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill.

“For most it’s going to stay dry but cloudy and rather mild ... but towards northwestern parts of the UK there will be a series of fronts coming through, bringing wet and windy weather with them.”

Scotland’s west and Northern Ireland are forecast to see strong winds and coastal gales, with light rain predicted at least until Monday.

North Wales and parts of Britain blessed with significant sunshine could see temperatures reach the mid-teens, Mr Burkill said, while islands in the far north of Scotland are set to see highs of at least 10C.

While the rains in northwestern parts of the UK should break up in time for New Year, according to Mr Burkill, this change will see a slight drop in temperatures across the country in time for the new year.