UK Weather: Flooding Alert After Torrential Rain, Snow And Blizzards (PICTURES)

Britain On Alert After Torrential Rain, Snow And Blizzards

Large parts of England and Wales remain on flood alert after torrential rain, snow and blizzards swept into the UK over the weekend.

Heavy deluges caused flash flooding in some places, with Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire the worst affected.

The wet weather, which fell on ground left sodden from the summer downpours, prompted the Environment Agency to issue of a number of flood warnings in England and Wales

Sheep stand in a snow covered field after freezing weather in Yorkshire

There are 16 warnings in place in areas of the South West, South East, East Anglia, the Midlands and Wales, while 82 flood alerts are in place for areas where the threat is less serious.

Bournemouth received the most rainfall in the UK, with 30mm falling in just 24 hours from 5pm on Saturday. The Dorset town would only expect to receive 100mm of rain on average for the whole of November.

Traffic travels through flooded roads on the A44 near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds

Parts of south Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire were also drenched during the severe downpour. Plymouth recorded 23mm of rainfall during the period.

Julian Mayes, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "It's not exceptional rainfall, but the last two weeks have been fairly wet and it's falling onto saturated ground which means the effect is more immediate. Most southern counties had more than 15mm."

Snow covered cars in Durham

The snow fell in areas of Somerset, North Dorset, Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire over the weekend, with reports of at least 3cm of snow following blizzards in hilly areas.

Meteogroup colleague Nick Prebble said the weather will become drier over the coming days and the flood threat should decrease as the week goes on.

Torrents of water washed away the foundations of a block of flats in Newcastle earlier in October

But he did advise people to wrap up warm if they are going to a Bonfire Night fireworks display this evening.

Mr Prebble said: "Maximum temperatures will be between 6-9C (43-48F) nationwide, which is a few degrees below average for November.

"It's also going to be a cold night with clear skies and temperatures of around 4-5C (39-41F) across much of the country by mid-evening, so it will feel quite chilly.

"The visibility should be good for any firework displays though."

The morning will get off to a showery start but the rain will clear as the day progresses, Mr Prebble added.

A stag bellows in the early morning mist amid the last final flourishes of Autumn weather

The Met Office has warned some motorists of icy conditions this morning, issuing a severe weather warning in parts of eastern Scotland and north east England.

The national forecaster said: "Scattered rain showers falling onto sub-zero surfaces may lead to icy patches on untreated roads and pavements for a time this morning.

"The public are advised to take extra care and that this may cause some disruption to transport."

A house in Dura Den in Fife was almost swept away by the weight of the flood water after almost 36 hours of rain earlier in October

Craig Woolhouse, Environment Agency flood risk manager, 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."

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