UK weather forecast: Flood warnings issued by Met Office as torrential rain set to batter Britain

Flood warnings in place for parts of the country as forecasters warn of hazardous driving conditions

Torrential rain will batter much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northwestern England and “significant” hill snow is possible over higher ground, forecasters have warned.

Two yellow weather warnings remained in place in southern Wales and Devon on Wednesday morning, the Met Office said, as forecasters warned the rain and strong winds could make for difficult driving conditions.

Flooding, disruption to train services and interruptions to power supplies are also possible before the downpours clear and leave many with a mild day in prospect.

The Environment Agency meanwhile had active flood warnings in place, for Lyme Regis Harbour, the upper and lower River Axe, the River Parrett and West Bay Harbour, as well as 43 flood alerts for England and Wales.

“The rain will clear through the morning in many places, with heavy showers soon replacing it and there will be cold air across northern parts of Scotland later on especially, where there is the risk of significant hill snow,” said Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern.

“These weather fronts are clearing fairly quickly and that means that, after a wet start for East Anglia and southeast England, it is drying up there through the morning. Heavy showers will soon follow into Wales and the southwest where there is a risk of localised flooding."

He added: “But really it’s across Northern Ireland into southern and central parts of Scotland where the wettest conditions will be first thing."

Snow is expected over Snowdonia, the Pennines and southern Scotland on Thursday.

The unsettled conditions will continue into Friday and the weekend, with frost giving way to more rain.