UK weather: Rain across whole of the south as Christmas approaches

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Wednesday will see a mild start in the south, with temperatures around 11C due to heavy cloud cover. 

Meanwhile northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will see clearer skies and a chance of frost. Temperatures here will hover around 0C.

A brisk wind will blow rain into the south. This will grow heavier as the day goes on, particularly in Wales, East Anglia, the Midlands and the southwest and has prompted the Met Office to issue weather warnings.

Up to 70mm of rain could fall in these areas Wednesday onto already saturated ground. A yellow warning for rain has been put in place from 6am on Wednesday and will last until 6am on Thursday.

The Met Office suggests that the rain could lead to travel disruption and flooding in places. They also say that “there is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded.”

Aiden McGivern from the Met Office suggested that winds could reach “gale force” around coasts in the southwest and parts of Wales.

Northern parts of the UK will see much brighter skies although there will be a few showers in northeast England and northern Scotland.

On Wednesday night, a northerly wind will help push the rain away and leave most of the UK with much lower temperatures but with clear skies in time for Christmas.

Christmas Eve will see a frosty start for most and further north some could even see snow showers. Generally bright for the south of England.

There will be a sunny morning for most on Christmas Day, before rain returns for the weekend.