The severe weather is set to continue right through tomorrow and well into Saturday across the southwest parts of the UK, finally passing by 6pm
BRITAIN is set for a weekend washout as thunderstorms lash Britain before more snow arrives next week - with Met Office issuing a "severe"; weather warning.
Torrential downpours are set to continue throughout the day and well into Saturday across the southwest parts of the UK.
Heavy snow is set to return next week after temperatures plunged as low as -6C overnight - causing freezing fog and ice on the roads this morning.
Cloud and drizzle is set to dampen northern parts of the country tonight while heavy showers will soak the southwest of England.
And it will be another frosty start tomorrow, though brighter spells could break up the gloomy conditions in some areas.
Announcing the Yellow weather warning this morning, the Met Office said: "Bands of heavy, at times thundery, showers are expected to affect parts of southwest England from Friday morning until later on Saturday.
"Whilst most areas will see a rather wet spell, not everywhere will see the heaviest downpours.
"Where they do occur, 20-40 mm may fall in 6-12 hours, with perhaps around 50 mm falling in 24 hours - most likely across southeast-facing coasts and moors of Devon and Cornwall.
"Showers may also contain small hail at times."
Meanwhile, forecasters have warned the UK could sit in a "battleground" of cold temperatures next week as the mercury plummets following murky weekend conditions.
Sara Thornton, director of digital weather company , told The Sun Online: "After a less cold few days, chillier air will start to seep back from the northeast by the start of next week, bringing a return to night frosts and perhaps a few wintry showers.
"The cold air is being brought by a large block of high pressure to our northeast, fending off milder Atlantic winds.
"However computer forecasts are increasingly ‘keen’ that the jet stream will blow the block of high pressure away after midweek, ushering in higher temperatures, wind and rain.
"The UK could sit in a battleground between mild and cold air later next week, and at the boundary between the two, some snowfall is possible."
Met Office Meteorologist Alex Deakin said icy cold winds and frosty fog patches will continue to grip the nation.
There were showers overnight in northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England, with cloud crossing eastern areas, "sticking like glue" and making it damp and drizzly this morning.
Clearer conditions across the west saw temperatures dip to below zero, even in towns and cities.
Rural areas felt a chill first thing this morning, with people forced to scrape the frost off their cars after temperatures dropped to -3C, or as low as -6C in one or two places.
Parts of the country, including Exmoor, Wales, the Peak District and the Pennines, were blanketed in the white stuff while Surrey, Sussex, Kent and even London saw some flurries on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Snow settled on hills in the South of England, including the Chilterns, Salisbury Plain, The Berkshire and Wiltshire Downs and parts of The Costwolds.
The highest areas of the UK saw much heavier snow, especially in northern England, Wales and Scotland.
The Pennines, Cheviot Hills, the Eastern Highlands and the Grampians had settling snow throughout the day, along with surrounding areas.
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Traffic makes its through the tricky conditions on Snake Pass, Derbyshire
The Pennines were heavily affected by snow and cars parked at the The Tan Hill Inn - Britain's highest pub at 1732ft above sea level - have been covered by the white stuff.
The Peak District is no stranger to being blanketed in snow, but the heavy showers overnight combined with freezing cold temperatures left residents in awe of the November covering.
Early risers in Brighton were surprised to find their cars covered in snow on Wednesday morning.
Devil's Dyke in East Sussex has been particularly frosty with snow settling on roads and roof-tops.
Christmas came early for residents of Canterbury in Kent, as residents found cars, roads and gardens dusted with a wintry white, getting everyone in the festive spirit before work.
The sky was barely visible over Snake Pass on the Pennines
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