UK weather forecast: Britain to be hit by floods as 'subtropical plume' devastates nation

Friday morning will see significant contrasts across the country which will be repeated over the next few days. The morning will be frosty for some in the north but milder further south.

Later on Friday, it will turn significantly wet and windy which is courtesy of a plume of subtropical air moving up from the Azores.

The southwesterly air will dump a lot of moisture across western parts of Wales and England as it arrives.

Meanwhile, further north, the low pressure system close to the north of Scotland will bring very blustery weather and frequent showers.

Strong winds of 70mph in the north and northwest of Scotland will also cause temperatures to plummet.

Met Office Meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “It’s also cold and in between the showers there will be a frost to begin the day but there will be some brighter skies.

“Meanwhile, we will encounter some high cloud for Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England as well as the east of England – but it will be largely bright here.

“There will be a chill in the air but it will be milder for Wales and the southwest with cloud already setting in from the word go as well as outbreaks of rain.

“It will be wet from the morning into Wales and western England.”

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There will be heavy rain across central areas and cold air in place with a blustery wind for the north of Scotland.

Scotland will also see some frequent showers and snow falling above 500 meters or so across mountains.

Mr McGivern continued: “These areas don’t change significantly into Friday evening.

“It’s a weather front that sets in and sticks around for some time and that means across parts of northern and western England and Wales, it’s going to be particularly wet from Friday afternoon through to Saturday afternoon.

“Again, there will be significant temperature contrasts with very mild subtropical air in the south.

“Saturday morning will be cold and frosty further north but bright skies for north of Scotland.”

There will be further frequent showers coming in through Saturday morning for Scotland as well as some snow again over the hill.

After a damp start for Northern Ireland and southern Scotland, the rain will clear.