UK weather: Snow, wind AND rain warnings issued as Easter chaos kicks off early as Brits braced for carnage on roads
BRITS are being warned to brace for travel chaos as the UK has been hit with weather warnings for rain, wind AND snow.
Three yellow alerts are in place across Britain ahead of the busy Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
All three of the alerts means there could be longer journey times for travellers as road, rail, air and ferry services will be affected.
And there is a chance of power cuts and danger to life.
A yellow warning for wind is in place for much of the South coast of England today – from 7am until 6pm.
Forecasters warn that strong winds and large coastal waves may lead to hazardous conditions.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “A deep area of low pressure will see increasing wind speeds along the south coast of England on Thursday.
“Gusts of 50mph are likely quite widely, with 60-70mph possible in exposed coastal areas.
“These winds will be accompanied by some heavy showers at times, with the possibility of hail and thunder in some locations, which will worsen travel conditions.”
Meanwhile most of Wales has been placed under a yellow alert for snow until 7am this morning.
Last night the Met Office explained: “Rain will likely turn to snow in places overnight, before clearing shortly after dawn. Some disruption to travel is possible.”
Finally the east of Northern Ireland remains under a yellow warning for rain until 3am tomorrow.
Neil continued: “Thursday will see further showers for many areas of the UK, but Northern Ireland will see further rain falling on very saturated ground, which increases the chances of some travel disruption within the warning area. 10-20mm of rain is likely quite widely, possibly higher across the Antrim hills.”
More than 14 million Brits are expected to make road journeys this weekend.
Meanwhile around two million are expected to fly away on holiday.
It comes as a unsettled weekend is on the cards.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Helen Caughey said: “Showers will continue into the weekend, especially for southern and western areas.
FIVE DAY FORECAST
Today:
Heavy rain and hill snow clearing northwards through the day, leaving bright or sunny spells and heavy and blustery showers for many. Showers possibly with hail and thunder at times in the south, where it will also be very windy.
Tonight:
Blustery showers continuing this evening, these heavy carrying the risk of hail. Turning drier overnight with clearer spells and a touch of rural frost under the lighter winds.
Friday:
A mixture of sunny spells and blustery scattered showers for Good Friday. These turning heavy and thundery at times. Feeling warm in any prolonged sunshine.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Staying changeable through the Easter weekend, with scattered showers and sunny spells on Saturday. Turning drier on Easter Sunday with lighter winds. Uncertainty on Monday with rain or showers possible.
“However, it is likely that we will see something of an improvement for most areas, with showers tending to become less frequent, and a better chance of longer spells of sunshine for eastern and northern areas, especially on Sunday.
“It will also become less windy, and temperatures should start to trend upwards, feeling quite warm in any sunshine.
“However, more widely unsettled conditions look likely to return into Easter Monday, but there is still some uncertainty in the timing of this deterioration.”