Christmas shoppers are braving the rain as heavy downpours and gale-force winds batter the United Kingdom, with more on the horizon – and even snow forecast for next week.
Brollies were out on London’s Oxford Street today, with people determined to make the most of their weekend despite the inclement weather.
Raincoats were on and hoods were up as the rain drenched shoppers from the early hours, with the Met Office predicting no let up for the rest of the weekend.
Christmas shoppers braved London’s Oxford Street today (pictured), despite the wet weather and strong winds. Brollies and raincoats were on with people determined to make the most of their weekend
As the rain fell on London’s Oxford Street, puddles formed on the ground leaving eager shoppers having to jump across them to avoid getting their shoes wet. The Met Office is predicting the wet weather to continue over the weekend, and is even forecasting some snow for next week
Raincoats were on and hoods up as Londoners got out and about despite the wet and windy weather. Rain is set to spread from the south west of England across the rest of the UK tonight – bringing a damp start to Sunday
The wet weather didn’t stop people getting on with their shopping (left), or going about their usual weekend business (right). Puddles formed on London’s Oxford Street this morning as heavy rain and strong winds battered the UK
Alex Burkill, meteorologist at the Met Office, told MailOnline: ‘Most places will see some rain tonight, but the worse will be in the south west of England where it will be heavy.
‘Despite this temperatures will remain above average across the country with some places seeing highs of around 12C to 13C, which is around 6C more than usual.’
This further rain will move from the south west across most areas overnight. However, northern Scotland will escape most of this – staying largely dry with some frost.
Tomorrow morning, as people start to wake up the weather will become a lot drier. Although it will still remain windy in the south.
Temperatures again, Mr Burkill said: ‘Will remain above average, with a few places hitting double figures overnight.’
This will continue on Monday with bright spells and showers across the country. Any rain is likely only to affect Wales and southwest England.
As people open the first day on their advent calendars, the weather this weekend is looking pretty grim – with rain set to continue until early on Monday morning
The Met Office is predicting a very wet evening for southern England tonight (pictured), with rain forecast for the vast majority of the area
On Monday night, however, temperatures will start to become a lot cooler and will herald the start of some potentially snowy weather.
Mr Burkill said: ‘Monday night will be a relatively clear night, and as a result of the general temperature will be a lot colder.
Heavy rain fell over much of the United Kingdom this morning (pictured), leaving people having to crack out their raincoats and brollies
‘At the same time, wet weather will start to spread from the south west and when it hits the colder air some snow is likely to fall on higher ground.
‘This is only likely to fall in the Pennines and Hebrides and temperatures will becomes milder again soon after this.’
Asked what the next couple of weeks holds in store for the UK, Mr Burkill said that temperatures will continue to be above average only turning colder in the latter half of December.
The Met Office long range forecast is indeed predicting an unsettled festive period with wet and windy weather affecting all areas of the UK.
According to the long-range prediction: ‘This will bring heavy rain and gales or severe gales, with a chance that it may even turn stormy at times.
‘Overall, it is likely to be mild across much of the country with snow tending to be confined to hills in the north. However, in any drier interludes it will turn colder.’
As Advent got underway, many were tempted to get some of their Christmas shopping done early. They had to bring their brollies though, as wet weather hit much of the country including London’s Oxford Street (pictured)
There were a number of umbrellas out in London today, as locals were determined to get outdoors despite the wet weather. After this weekend however, the weather is expected to turn a lot drier
There was a gorgeous sunrise in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside this morning, ahead of a wet start for many across the country
However, it is still too far to accurately predict conditions on the big day, although bookmakers have slashed odds on a White Christmas, with Ladbrokes claiming there was a 6/5 chance of a dusting of snow in Aberdeen or 9/2 for London.
However, Storm Diana which has been battering the country with 80mph winds has already claimed several lives.
But while temperatures at the start of December normally average 9-10C (48-50F), it could reach 15C (59F) in central and southern areas on Sunday.