UK weather forecast: Nation set for HORRIFYING night of LOUD thunder and explosive rain

As a result, the national weather service has issued a yellow warning for rain for south-west England between 6am on Friday until 6pm on Saturday, as 50mm could fall in less than 24 hours. The bands of heavy, thundery showers will bring a chance of flooding across South Wales, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Gloucestershire. Showers may also contain hail at times.

Weather forecaster Aidan McGivern commented on the conditions, saying: ”These heavy downpours will become just generally wet weather across this southwestern area.

“They will be accompanied by gusty winds near the coast.

“There will also be some hail, some thunder and some lighting.

“It will be a lively and noisy night.”

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Mr McGivern added these bands of showers could also cause “some issues”.

He explained: “We will see 20 to 40mm of rain through Friday and Saturday and by the end of Saturday some spots could get as much as 50mm particularly around the South Devon area, over the moors of the Southwest as well.

“A rain warning is in force because of issues potentially from this amount of rainfall.”

As temperatures continue to tumble, leading bookmaker Coral has slashed odds on this winter being the coldest on record.

Now, the firm make it a 10-11 chance this winter is the chillest ever, as a bitterly cold snap hits the UK.

Coral’s spokesman Harry Aitkenhead said: “We’ve been expecting winter to arrive for a while and now it’s finally hit.

“Temperatures have plummeted and with all the signs suggesting it’s only going to get colder we have been left with no choice but to slash our odds on this winter being the coldest on record.”

The bookies also make it 1-3 (from 10-11) for a White Christmas anywhere in the UK this festive season.

“Hopes are higher than usual for a White Christmas with the snow falling early,” Harry added.

“We make the UK’s northern cities the most likely to get snow on the big day.

“London is 4-1 to see snowfall on Christmas Day but you just can’t rule it out the way the weather is turning.”