Flood warnings have been issued in the UK as a 400-mile storm bomb approaches its shores.
The Met Office has warned the south-west of the UK could be hit by flooding. Homes and businesses could be affected, while travellers may face delays and power supplies may be interrupted.
Yellow weather warnings are currently in place for Cardiff and the west of Wales, Bath, Plymouth, Exeter and Bristol for today as heavy rain is predicted to fall.
Forecasters at WXCharts say the UK will be hit by rain of up to 10mm per hour from Newcastle down to Plymouth on Thursday, with snow forecast for the north of Scotland.
It says the entire south of the UK will have a soggy day tomorrow but the likes of Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff will see the most rainfall.
In its forecast for Thursday, the Met Office said: “The band of heavy squally rain will continue to move southeastwards, followed by sunny spells and blustery showers. Feeling colder for many, with showers falling as snow over northern hills.”
There are currently no weather warnings in place for Thursday, but the area covered by today’s warnings is already being extended to the north of Wales by the national forecaster.
In its outlook for Thursday to Sunday, the Met Office said the UK will start to dry up on Friday and Saturday ahead of further rainfall on Sunday.
Its forecast for the period read: “Sunny spells and blustery showers on Friday and Saturday, falling as snow over northern hills. perhaps turning wetter and windier across southern parts heading into Sunday. Near average temperatures.”
But from Sunday onwards, the Met Office said the UK can expect more long periods of rain.
Its forecast from Sunday, February 25, to Tuesday, March 5, read: “It will remain changeable through Sunday and Monday with a longer spell of rain likely across the south or southwest, and a scattered few showers elsewhere. Temperatures will be close to average, with some nighttime frosts.
“Although near normal, these temperatures will feel like a marked contrast to the mild conditions of recent weeks. A generally unsettled pattern is most likely to continue through to early March bringing spells of rain across all areas at times, wettest in the west and northwest, where it’ll be windy too at times.”
They added: “Temperatures generally around average though some short-lived colder interludes are possible, these more likely in the north which may allow some sleet or snow to fall to lower levels at times.”
