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UK weather forecast: Snow, downpours and thunder to strike this weekend before 'storm-force' winds sweep in

Pedestrians walk across millennium bridge during a cold snap last year: AFP/Getty Images
Pedestrians walk across millennium bridge during a cold snap last year: AFP/Getty Images

Britain’s miserable run of weather looks set to continue as snow, downpours and thunderstorms sweep in before “storm-force” winds batter the country next week.

A large band of thundery rain is expected to bring sleet and snow to parts of northern England as it pushes in on Sunday, the Met Office is predicting.

And the severe conditions are set to get worse still, with powerful gales packing speeds in excess of 70mph forecast to batter much of the UK from next Monday.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said the strong winds, rain and snow to come means weather warnings would likely be issued and there could possibly be a new named storm.

“It’s not out of the question that we might need another named storm, and we’re looking at warnings already but there is still some uncertainty,” he told the Standard.

“Temperatures are probably going to be dropping, it’s going to be even colder when you factor in the cold winds – with sleet and snow coming with that.

“There could be severe gales, even storm force winds, especially on Monday, with gusts in excess of 70mph… It could be just a spell of wetter and winder weather but it may also be quite stormy, there is still some uncertainty.”

Before then, Thursday through to Saturday looks set to be dry and cloudy, with little change to what has been seen already this week across most of the country.

“But as we get into Sunday, a band of rain will push in south-eastwards. The showers will be heavy and thundery, bringing hail and snow to northern parts – perhaps even lower levels.

He added: “On Monday, that’s when uncertainty rises. Rain pushing into south-west, north-eastwards. There’s more snow to come as well, but mainly over higher ground.

“Thereafter, next week looks pretty unsettled with further periods of wet and thundery weather and more snow. Quite a contrast.”