After -13C big freeze... here come the floods
An oil tanker ends up in the River Dunt at Duntisbourne Leer in the Cotswolds yesterday
HEAVY rain and melting snow threaten flooding in parts of Britain today before winter roars back for the weekend.
Extreme cold will briefly give way to milder but more unsettled conditions from the Atlantic over the next 24 hours.
Torrential downpours will lash swathes of the country, with rain, sleet and snow a risk into the weekend.
Arctic conditions will return with a vengeance tomorrow opening the doors to sub-zero temperatures and wintry downpours.
Heavy snow since the weekend has sparked chaos on transport networks while disrupting power supplies and closing schools.
Britons woke to icy roads and pavements yesterday after the coldest night of the year pushed temperatures to -13C (8.6F) in Shawbury, Shropshire.
The Met Office predicts a brief let-up today before polar winds sweep back across Britain.
Spokesman Grahame Madge said temperatures would drop again with further wintry showers possible in parts tomorrow.
He added: “Friday is looking calmer and more settled, although it will be cold.”
Despite the rise in temperatures today chilly winds and showers will make it feel cold and wintry, he said.
The Met Office has issued an ice warning across much of the country this morning with further snowfall expected in the North. Chief forecaster Paul Gundersen warned plunging temperatures last night would bring widespread icy roads and pavements today.
He said: “Ice is expected to form on some surfaces from late Tuesday afternoon overnight into Wednesday morning.
“The chance of this is highest across parts of Scotland and northern England where rain may fall on to frozen surfaces.
Sinking
“A few centimetres of fresh snow are also likely on high ground, mainly across Scotland and northern England.
“There will probably be icy stretches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths with some injuries possible from slips and falls.”
Temperatures should reach 8C in the South today although northern Britain will hover between freezing and 4C.
Lows of -6C are forecast across Scotland by the end of the week with much of the UK sinking back below freezing as the mercury plunges.
WeatherOnline forecaster Simon Keeling said another blast of winter is waiting in the wings ahead of the weekend.
He said: “There will be a mix of rain, sleet and snow with temperatures varying through the week.
“It will turn briefly milder in the South in midweek before turning colder again later.
“There is a risk of some wintry weather passing south on Thursday ahead of a drier, cooler weekend.”
The Environment Agency said: “We will be carefully monitoring the potential for flooding as the weekend’s snow melts through this week. We will issue flood alerts and warnings as needed.”
The RAC said Monday was its busiest day in seven years.
Warning of treacherous conditions and very slippery roads, spokesman James Knight added: “This week is shaping up to be one of the busiest ever for us. Ice will continue to be a major challenge for drivers.”