UK Weather: Britain to see eight inches of snow tonight

Britain will be hit by eight inches of snow, floods, 70mph winds and four inches of rain over the next 24 hours.

The Met Office said heavy and persistent snow is expected in Scotland overnight, with 2in (5cm) likely for many parts and up to 8in (20cm) on the highest ground, with a weather warning valid from midnight to 1pm tomorrow.

Forecasters have warned that some roads and railways are likely to be affected by the conditions, with possible longer journey times for road, bus and train services. Railway services in Scotland are already being disrupted.

The Environment Agency has issued 25 flood alerts and ten warnings for England – with most in the North West, but others in the South West and elsewhere. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued two alerts. 

High tides and strong winds gusting at up to 50mph bring large waves against the coast of Cleveleys in Lancashire today

Motorists face difficult conditions after flooding in Port Dundas, Glasgow, today as heavy rain hits parts of Scotland

Motorists face difficult conditions after flooding in Port Dundas, Glasgow, today as heavy rain hits parts of Scotland

Heavy flooding is seen at Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness today as Cumbria faces 15 flood alerts and warnings

Heavy flooding is seen at Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness today as Cumbria faces 15 flood alerts and warnings

A lorry is toppled by high winds on the A628 Woodhead Pass, bringing the main Manchester to Sheffield road to a standstill

A lorry is toppled by high winds on the A628 Woodhead Pass, bringing the main Manchester to Sheffield road to a standstill

A man walks along the Lancashire coast in Blackpool today as the Met Office issues severe weather warnings for Britain

A man walks along the Lancashire coast in Blackpool today as the Met Office issues severe weather warnings for Britain

A caravan and a 4X4 over turn in strong winds on the A66 in Cumbria today. The road has since closed to high sided vehicles

A caravan and a 4X4 over turn in strong winds on the A66 in Cumbria today. The road has since closed to high sided vehicles

A car has become stuck in flood water under a railway bridge in Seaton, Cumbria, following heavy rain today

A car has become stuck in flood water under a railway bridge in Seaton, Cumbria, following heavy rain today

ScotRail engineers are dealing with a landslip at Wick in the Highlands, with services unable to run to or from the station

ScotRail engineers are dealing with a landslip at Wick in the Highlands, with services unable to run to or from the station

However, mild weather continued for some parts today, with temperatures in the South West of England forecast to reach at least 16C (61F). Bude in Cornwall and Exeter in Devon were already at 15C (59F) by 8am this morning.

The mild southern air is due to a low pressure system dragging mild air from the Bay of Biscay and southern Europe. But most of Scotland struggled to get into double figures today.

Meanwhile a warning for heavy rain is in force for southern Scotland, northern England and North West Wales until 9am tomorrow, with spray and flooding on roads making journey times longer.

Strong winds are also forecast, with a weather warning in place for most of England until 7am tomorrow.

Met Office spokesman Nicola Maxey said: ‘Snow is forecast for northern Scotland and this could potentially affect travel in the area. Outside that area snow is not going to be an issue, it’s more likely to be heavy rain.

The Met Office has issued warnings for up to four inches of rain between 10am today and 9am tomorrow

There is a warning for winds gusting at up to 70mph between 10.40am today and 7am tomorrow

The Met Office has issued yellow ‘be aware’ severe weather warnings for up to four inches of rain between 10am today and 9am tomorrow (left) and for winds gusting at up to 70mph between 10.40am today and 7am tomorrow (right)

The Met Office also had a rain for Northern Ireland

There is a snow warning for midnight to 1pm tomorrow

The Met Office also had a rain for Northern Ireland (left) while there is a snow warning for midnight to 1pm tomorrow (right)

Temperatures in southern England are very mild for the time of year, but it is much colder in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Temperatures in southern England are very mild for the time of year, but it is much colder in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Blackpool North Shore in Lancashire is battered by strong waves today as the Met Office issues severe weather warnings

Blackpool North Shore in Lancashire is battered by strong waves today as the Met Office issues severe weather warnings

Parts of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, have been affected by flooding today following heavy rainfall in the area

Parts of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, have been affected by flooding today following heavy rainfall in the area

A landslip at Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands last night (pictured) has caused problems for ScotRail train passengers

In the Highlands rail passengers are facing disruption after three landslips

A landslip at Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands last night (pictured) has caused problems for ScotRail train passengers

People walk their dogs on the beach with fishermen standing on the harbour walls at Seaham in County Durham today

People walk their dogs on the beach with fishermen standing on the harbour walls at Seaham in County Durham today

‘The rain warning is in place until 9am tomorrow morning so will run over into the morning rush hour so there could be spray on the roads, and at this time of year with leaves blown down we could see drains getting blocked up which could lead to surface water and flooding.’

In the Highlands rail passengers are facing disruption after three landslips following heavy rain forced the cancellation of some services.

Train services from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and Wick have been affected, with the line blocked between the Highland capital and Beauly. A weather warning for rain was also in place for parts of Northern Ireland today.

RAC spokesman Pete Williams said: ‘We are warning drivers across the UK that high winds will make conditions challenging.

Waves crash into the sea wall at Blackpool in Lancashire today as the Met Office warned of winds gusting at up to 70mph

Waves crash into the sea wall at Blackpool in Lancashire today as the Met Office warned of winds gusting at up to 70mph

A woman plays with her dog on the beach in wintry conditions at Seaham in County Durham today

A woman plays with her dog on the beach in wintry conditions at Seaham in County Durham today

Strong winds and large waves crash against the coast of Cleveleys, north of Blackpool in Lancashire this afternoon

Strong winds and large waves crash against the coast of Cleveleys, north of Blackpool in Lancashire this afternoon

Traffic is blocked on the A628 between Manchester and Sheffield after a double articulated lorry was toppled by high winds

Traffic is blocked on the A628 between Manchester and Sheffield after a double articulated lorry was toppled by high winds

A caravan and a 4X4 overturn in strong winds on the A66 in Cumbria today as the region was hit by severe weather

A caravan and a 4X4 overturn in strong winds on the A66 in Cumbria today as the region was hit by severe weather

The shoreline at Cleveleys on the Fylde coast of Lancashire is battered by strong waves amid severe weather conditions today

The shoreline at Cleveleys on the Fylde coast of Lancashire is battered by strong waves amid severe weather conditions today

A man and woman walk along the beach at Seaham in County Durham with their dog as others go beachcombing

A man and woman walk along the beach at Seaham in County Durham with their dog as others go beachcombing

‘The advice is for drivers to slow down and ensure they double the normal recommended two-second distance between their car and the vehicle in front.

‘Hold the steering wheel firmly and be prepared to be buffeted by gusts of wind. Drivers in Scotland who travel on roads on high ground and mountain passes should be prepared for snowy conditions.

‘It’s wise to pack a ‘winter survival kit’ including a shovel, blanket, additional warm clothing, a torch, a flask with a warm drink and ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and consider letting your friends, family or colleagues know when you expect to arrive.

‘It may be worth delaying your journey or taking an alternative route until conditions improve and the snow ploughs have made roads fully passable. Keep tuned to the weather and travel forecasts on local radio.’

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