UK weather forecast LIVE – Temperatures to reach balmy 17C by next weekend as the UK’s record-breaking Big Freeze ends
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TEMPERATURES could rise as high as 17C by next weekend as the UK's record-breaking Big Freeze - thankfully - comes to an end.
In a sudden switch from snow and sub-zero temperatures during Beast from the East Two, following Storm Darcy, the mercury will soar back up to double digits from Monday.
That'll bring much-needed relief for locked-down Brits.
All of the UK will be basking in a "warmer air mass, with daytime temperatures reaching 11-12C in the south, replacing days which never got above freezing the week before," says Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong.
And by next Sunday the mercury could soar as high as 17C with forecasters expecting temperatures “way above average for this time of year.”
Chris Fawkes from BBC Weather said: "We’re starting to draw up more of a southerly flow of wind and that will start to drag up some of the warmer air from north Africa and Spain, which will push across westerly Europe and across parts of the United Kingdom."
Follow our weather live blog below for the latest news and updates from around the country
SNOW SHUT SCHOOLS AND LED TRAVEL CHAOS YESTERDAY
Northern England felt the force of the snow yesterday as travel chaos erupted and hundreds of schools were forced to shut.
Yorkshire was hit hardest, which even resulted in coronavirus vaccines being cancelled as residents were warned against non-essential travel.
Roads were disrupted throughout parts of the North West and Derbyshire, and rail operator Northern warned travellers to expect widespread disruption as forecasters warned of risks of becoming stranded
Motorists were stuck overnight on the M62 when a parcel lorry jack-knifed and blocked the westbound carriageway near Rochdale.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH A YELLOW WEATHER WARNING:
- There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers
- There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off
- There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
- Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
- Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
- Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible
FLOOD WARNINGS ISSUED
The Environment Agency has placed 45 flood warnings, which require 'immediate action' as well as 163 flood alerts across the UK.
Most warnings are in place up until Sunday as rain and snow are set to sweep the nation.
Scotland could see up to 15 inches of snow in some areas and heavy rain is set to cause further flooding in northern England.
TODAY'S FORECAST FOR LONDON
Today:
Spells of heavy rain will hit most counties first, before it slowly clears in the east throughout the morning. In Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire it remains largely dry and bright, which extends throughout the region over the afternoon, with a maximum temperature of 10C.
Tonight:
This evening is dry and sees largely clear skies, but the nighttime brings light yet cold winds. Patch low clouds over the hills and a chance of ground frost in rural areas, with a minimum temperature of 2C.
WEATHER TO BLAME FOR RAT PLAGUE
Online traffic to rat and mouse advice pages jumped 37% last year compared with 2019, figures suggest.
The number of rodent queries have risen over five consecutive years and were 37.3% higher in 2020 than in 2015.
Experts suggest part of the increase can be attributed to warmer than usual weather, which can create favourable conditions for rats and mice to produce more litters in a season and survive the winters that naturally curtail numbers.
FORECAST FOR TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
Tonight: Outbreaks of rain will continue across northern England and Northern Ireland during the evening and there will be snow across Scotland which will be heavy for a time and continue overnight.
Further south will be mostly dry with clear spells however variable amounts of cloud cover will build.
Tomorrow: Thursday will be a mostly cloudy day across with outbreaks of rain and drizzle across northern England and Northern Ireland. There will be sleet and snow across Scotland.
Drier further south with sunny spells, the best of these for southern England. A chance of a few showers developing too.
AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRES
Strong winds threatening to fan a bushfire prompted Australia on Wednesday to urge thousands of people to leave their homes in Perth, complicating a lockdown after the state detected its first coronavirus infection in 10 months.
The fire in Western Australia has destroyed a swathe of more than 9,000 hectares (22,240 acres) and 71 homes, the authorities say, in a reminder of blazes that destroyed millions of hectares of habitat in the country's east a year ago.
As firefighters battled a blaze in steep, inhospitable terrain, authorities told residents of Bullsbrook, a suburb of 6,600 in Australia's fourth largest city, to ignore a stay-home order and leave immediately as hot, dry weather picked up.
PICTURED
Waves crash into the seawall at Aberystwyth, Wales.
Credit: Alamy Live News TODAY'S FORECAST
Today, further wintry showers and snowfall will be affecting northern England and Scotland.
There will be outbreaks of early rain across southern England which will clear during the day to reveal some spells of sunshine through the afternoon.
Dry elsewhere with sunshine and cloudy periods.
FORECAST - THURSDAY & FRIDAY
Tomorrow there will be some sunny spells and showers across England.
However, it will be cloudy further north, with further wintry showers and snow across northern England and Scotland.
Friday will bring similar conditions with outbreaks of rain across northern Britain, wintry across Scotland.
RIVER THAMES CAUSED FLOODING IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Credit: Rex Features 
Credit: Rex Features VISITORS TRAVELLING TO BEAUTY SPOTS SLAMMED FOR PUTTING LIVES AT RISK
Visitors have been slammed for travelling to natural beauty spots in treacherous weather, putting their lives at risk.
The concern of landowners has risen to a fever pitch after last weekend, where coastlines were battered by huge waves which breached flood defences along the South coast.
Crowds of around 200 people were reported gathering to watch the powerful waves as they crashed along the Jurassic coast. They broke through flood defences at Chesil Beach, in Portland, Dorset. Three coastguard officers were also injured when they were hit by a freak wave.
The owner of the Lulworth Estate, Dorset, whose land includes tourist hotspots like Durdle Door and Man O’War Bay, said: “It is always of concern that visitors come to Lulworth without appreciating the natural environment.
“Tides and currents can be strong and extra care is needed when spring tides and high winds converge,” said James Weld.
Several people were caught out last weekend as Man O’War Bay was battered by high spring tides and huge waves.
MET OFFICE FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY MORNING
PICTURED
Wild animals experience snow at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, England.
Credit: PA:Press Association 
Credit: PA:Press Association MET OFFICE SHARES TIPS ON HOW TO STAY SAFE ON THE ROADS DURING HEAVY DOWNPOUR
FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE
There are currently 42 flood warnings in place in England with another 146 alerts issued urging people to be prepared as flooding is possible.
To see if your area is at risk click .
PICTURED
The snow gives a bleak wintry look to the Scottish ancient Peel Tower built in the 15th century.
Credit: Alamy Live News 
Credit: Alamy Live News FORECAST FOR TONIGHT
Further heavy rain for central Britain, snow confined to highest Pennine routes.
Snow more prevalent parts of south and east Scotland, perhaps heavy.
Wintry showers in far north.
Drier further south before heavy rain reaches southern coastal counties of England.
FORECAST FOR TONIGHT
Further heavy rain for central Britain, snow confined to highest Pennine routes.
Snow more prevalent parts of south and east Scotland, perhaps heavy.
Wintry showers in far north.
Drier further south before heavy rain reaches southern coastal counties of England.
WEATHER WARNINGS IN PLACE FOR REST OF WEEK
There are yellow weather warnings in place across the UK from today until Sunday.
It's a mixture of rain and snow warnings for the northern parts of Britain early in the week while snow warnings dominate in Scotland at the end of the week.
WEDNESDAY'S FORECAST
Tomorrow further wintry showers and snowfall will be affecting northern England and Scotland.
There will be outbreaks of early rain across southern England which will clear during the day to reveal some spells of sunshine through the afternoon.
Dry elsewhere with sunshine and cloudy periods.
WEDNESDAY'S FORECAST
Tomorrow further wintry showers and snowfall will be affecting northern England and Scotland.
There will be outbreaks of early rain across southern England which will clear during the day to reveal some spells of sunshine through the afternoon.
Dry elsewhere with sunshine and cloudy periods.
SNOW TO CONTINUE ACROSS THE NORTH THIS EVENING
OUTBREAKS OF SNOW TO CONTINUE THIS EVENING
Outbreaks of snow will continue across northern hills this evening.
Further south bands of heavy showery rain will help to thaw lying snow, the Met Office said.
Meanwhile the far north of Scotland remains cold with clear spells and further wintry showers.
SCHOOLS CLOSED BECAUSE OF SNOW
Schools are closed in parts of the UK today after snow blanketed the North and Midlands.
Schools are shut in much of Yorkshire, Cumbria, and Greater Manchester. Derbyshire has also seen closures.
Click here to find out where schools are closed