Snow And Heavy Rain Sweep Across UK

The first significant snowfalls of the winter have occurred across parts of the South West, with other regions of England and Wales hit by flash flooding.

Snow fell in Somerset, north Dorset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire over the weekend.

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "Rain there was so intense it fell as wet snow, which was able to settle. It's believed some places could have seen as much as 10cm, but as soon as the snow stopped falling, it quickly melted."

Parts of England and Wales were also affected by flash flooding following a period of torrential rain on Sunday.

Some 14 flood warnings were issued, covering the South West, South East, East Anglia, the Midlands and Wales.

There were also 76 flood alerts issued for areas where the threat was less serious.

Bournemouth received the most rainfall in the UK, with 30mm falling in just 24 hours. Little Rissington in Gloucestershire came a close second, recording 29mm of rain - of which 21mm fell in just 12 hours.

Robinson said: "The rainfall amounts were by no means exceptional, but it fell on saturated ground across many areas which meant the rain had nowhere to go.

"Surface water flooding and river flooding were an issue and many flood alerts and flood warnings remain in place on Monday."

Craig Woolhouse, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: "The Environment Agency has issued a number of flood warnings and alerts as a result of heavy rain across the south of England and Wales over this weekend.

"Only last week the organisation warned that flooding could be more likely this winter as a result of heavy rainfall during the summer and higher than normal rivers and groundwater levels.

"Anyone in a flood risk area can get free early warnings with vital information to keep themselves and their property safe."

Meanwhile, forecasters are advising people to wrap up warm if they are going to Bonfire Night fireworks displays.

Nationwide temperatures on Monday are set to drop to between 6-9C and by mid-evening they will fall to around 4-5C.