UK weather today: Heavy rain and snow across country as drivers stranded and flood warnings issued

Weather warnings issued for ice as temperatures set to plummet

Snow hit parts of the UK on Saturday as continue bursts of heavy rain were forecast across the country.

A snow blizzard is raging in some counties, including Buxton, in Derbyshire, while downpours further south left one motorist stranded in floodwater in the early hours of the morning.

The deluge was set to continue for most parts of the UK, with rain showers, blustery gales and spots of sunshine forecast throughout the weekend.

The Environment Agency has issued 13 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, and 130 flood alerts, for areas where flooding is likely, for Saturday.

Weather warnings for ice are also in place from 9pm on Saturday until 11am on Sunday across northern England, parts of the Midlands, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Hill snow is likely to affect many areas, particularly in the north Pennines and parts of Scotland.

Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst warned a “blustery weekend” lies ahead.

He said: “Anyone who is out Christmas shopping will have to wrap up warmly.

“Over the high ground of northern England and Scotland, some places may have a covering of snow.

“Temperatures for most places will be between 3C and 7C, with maximum temperatures of 10C in the South East where the best of the sunshine will be.

“We are also looking at wind gusts of 35 to 40mph.”

A motorist had to be rescued from his car by firefighters using an inflatable sled in the early hours of Saturday as floodwater caused chaos on roads in Leicestershire.

The driver was rescued from Watery Gate Lane, in Thurlaston, which is notorious for flooding.

At least 19 people needed rescuing from the road between 2014 and 2018, along with several more this year.

The local authority, Blaby District Council, said it wanted to install gates to stop drivers using the road when water levels are high earlier this month.

Additional reporting by Press Association.