A bizarre polar air mass is due to split Britain with snow and flooding hell this weekend.
Weather maps from WXCharts show a front moving in this weekend that will bring heavy rain and snow to some parts of the UK, drenching a country battered by severe weather this winter.
There is a risk of snow in some southern parts of the UK on Saturday with London, Dover, Maidstone, and Canterbury in the south east at risk of seeing a small amount of snow.
On Saturday, high winds will also be a major issue on the south coast. Weather maps suggest that gusts could peak at 124kph (77.5mph) in some areas. Further north cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, and Newcastle will see calmer conditions.
On Sunday the risk of snow in the south dissipates and instead the Scottish Highlands could be hit by several centimetres of snow on high ground. Some parts of Wales will also be subject to wintry conditions at midday on Sunday.
On the south coast, the same cities at risk of snow on Saturday will be hit by heavy rainfall that could further saturate ground made sodden by snow and heavy rain earlier this week.
Temperatures on Sunday are due to remain consistently cold across the UK ranging from minus five to zero degrees across the UK while Europe experiences a much milder five degrees further south.
While this weekend is due to remain, dry there are concerns that before Britain enters spring it will be hit by a fresh snow storm at the start of March.
Speaking to Express.co.uk a spokesperson warned that the UK would be hit by an “unsettled pattern” of weather.
They explained: “A dry start to this period is most likely in the south of the UK, with some night-time frost and perhaps patchy fog, but rain will already by making its way into northern parts of the UK on Tuesday, spreading south.
“This sets the scene for a generally unsettled pattern that is likely to continue through to early March. Spells of rain are expected across all areas at times, wettest overall in the west and northwest, where it will also sometimes be windy.
“Temperatures are most likely to be around or a little above average, though some short-lived colder interludes that would allow sleet or snow to fall to lower levels are possible at times, these more likely in the north.”
Met Office 5-day forecast
Today:
Breezy with a mix of sunny spells and showers, these heavy with thunder and hail at times. Most frequent showers will be in the west and perhaps near some English Channel coasts. Feeling rather cold, especially during the showers.
Tonight:
Further showers in the west, particularly in southwest England where it will also be windy. Clearing skies elsewhere allowing a frost and some fog patches to form as winds ease.
Saturday:
A mix of sunny spells and showers, although many of the showers fading away as we move into the afternoon. Temperatures around average for late February.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
A band of rain likely to move across southern areas during Sunday, with northern areas likely dry. Many places dry on Monday before rain returns to the north during Tuesday.
