UK weather warning as experts issue severe ‘Yellow’ alert with snow, wind and rain set to batter Britain overnight

BRITS are set to be hit by intense wind, rain and snow this weekend, weather experts have warned.

Forecasters said that snow could arrive in parts of the UK overnight, with the Pennines expected to receive several centimetres.

The Met Office has issued a 'Yellow' severe weather warning which covers large parts of the north west of England, as well as Northern Ireland and southern Scotland.

And weather experts have said the "tricky" conditions could spark travel chaos.

"Wintry showers later on Thursday and overnight into Friday will lead to some ice, primarily on untreated surfaces but perhaps also where grit is washed off by frequent showers," a Met Office weather warning read.

"Additionally, 1-3 cm of snow may accumulate on hills above around 100-200 m and more than 6 cm above 400 m.

"Some of the heaviest showers could produce slushy conditions even at low levels. Please be aware of possible tricky travel conditions."

The warning comes after parts of Wales were hit by winds of up to 94mph today, leaving properties damaged.

The seaside town of Aberystwyth bore the brunt as the powerful gusts swept across the area, prompting a host of road closures.

Police said no injuries had been reported, but a number of caravans were overturned around the town and several roofs were left damaged.

Smashed windows and the wreckage of one overturned caravan were pictured on social media, while another video showed a metal frame being blown down some steps.

Thomas Scarrott, 34, who was at the Clarach Bay caravan site, said: "The park is closed at the moment, but if this happened during the peak time then I think we would have been in a bit of trouble.

"I saw caravans getting thrown about in the air, it happened very quick so it went from being very calm, very normal and autumnal to absolute devastation and carnage.

"It took a very direct path through the middle of the park.

"It seems to have all the characteristics of a tornado, when you look at the damage it's done, it's not only lifted up caravans, it's also picked up concrete bollards that are in the ground and threw them around."

Trees and roof tiles were also blown into roads, with several being forced to close, Dyfed Powys Police said.

The Aberystwyth lifeboat station recorded its strongest gust at 82 knots - 94 mph - shortly after 10.30am.

Although 94mph is fast enough to exceed hurricane speed, forecasters said the wind came in surges and did not last long enough to be classified as a hurricane.

The "extreme winds" swept inland across mid-Wales towards Shrewsbury over the course of Thursday, Meteogroup said.

In the village of Shawbury, Shropshire, forecasters recorded a wind speed of 84mph.