Met Office warns of night frosts and wintry showers as UK weather takes a cold turn this week

Detail of rain drops falling from an umbrella
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The Met Office is warning that parts of the UK could see flooding and strong winds today, while the country continues to experience colder temperatures for the rest of the week. Night frosts and wintry showers are expected to affect certain areas due to a cold airmass pushing up through the country.

Today, a yellow weather warning has been issued for parts of Scotland. The Met Office revealed there could be strong winds and flooding in the north east of the country.

A warning for heavy rain is in place until 8pm today for the Northern Isles, including the Orkney and Shetland Islands. This could lead to flooding and traffic delays, the Met Office said.

It explained: “An area of heavy rain will become slow-moving over the Northern Isles on Monday night and through Tuesday morning, before clearing from Orkney in the afternoon and eventually from Shetland during the evening.

“Totals of 20-40 mm seem likely to fall quite widely, mostly within a six to 12-hour period, with perhaps as much as 50-80 mm in a few locations on Shetland. Strong winds accompanying the rain may also add to the difficult travelling conditions.”

A warning for strong wind is also in place until 6pm, that also covers Aberdeen and Angus. Gusts of up to 65mph are expected.

This coincides with a rather gloomy outlook for the whole of the UK. The Met Office said: “Elsewhere, rain will work southwards across the country tomorrow bringing cold northerly winds with it. This markedly cold, showery airmass spreads across the whole of the UK by mid-week with hail and thunder in places, and there is the chance some of the showers could turn wintry over some Scottish mountains.”

However, looking further ahead, milder air from the Atlantic is expected to push back across the country later on Friday and more especially into the weekend, cutting off the cold air from the north and seeing a return to temperatures nearer average for the time of year.

Today

Sunshine and isolated showers in the south initially. However, a band of rain gradually moving south across England and Wales. Sunshine and blustery showers further north. Heavy rain and gale force winds affecting the far northeast of Scotland. Turning colder.

Tonight

Rain soon clearing from southeast England, then a colder night than of late everywhere. Clear periods, but with blustery showers in the north and west. Patchy frost in the north.

Wednesday

A day of sunshine and scattered, locally heavy, blustery showers. Showers most widespread in the north and west. Feeling chilly everywhere in the brisk north-to-northwesterly wind.

Thursday

Sunshine and showers on Thursday, though gradually becoming drier and less windy. Mostly fine with sunshine in the south thereafter, but wet and windy in the north later. Night frosts.