Big freeze could be over... but rain’s on way

IF YOU’VE been struggling in the icy freeze of the last month, then this will make you smile – temperatures are finally set to rise.

Treacherous ice and fog has brought chaos in recent weeks with hundreds of flights cancelled and scores of car crashes.

However the mercury is now expected to rise before the month is out.

Last night the Met Office said the weather will become warmer after a cold day today, with snow a possibility on hilly parts of the North.

But the milder weather is to be interrupted with heavy rain and strong winds, forecasters warned. Met Office spokesman Nicola Maxey said: ‘Looking ahead at the forecast for the next week and into mid-February the weather conditions are looking changeable and milder.

‘We are expecting spells of rain, some heavy at times, particularly in western and south-western areas, where it will also be windy.

‘These spells of rain will be interspersed with brighter, showery and occasionally colder conditions.

‘During the colder spells there could well be some snow but it will be largely restricted to higher ground in northern areas.’

The forecast will come as welcome news after ice hit the country yesterday morning, causing more chaos for commuters battling to get to work.

The yellow weather warning for ice was in place until 10am.

Police said there had been a spate of crashes on ‘treacherous’ roads, including a pile-up which blocked the A252 at Chilham, Kent, where at least one car ended up on its roof.

Train services in Norfolk and Kent were also disrupted.