Maps show where strong winds and snow will hit UK this week

Britain will be ringing in the New Year in the most British way possible – rain, wind, snow and more rain.

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for today, blanketing northern Scotland and a small patch of northern England.

Up to 140mm of rain could bucket it down over western Scotland today and tomorrow, while snow will dust Perthshire.

Blizzards may also batter Scotland, according to the warning in effect until 11.59pm. Flooding, power outages and travel disruption is expected.

Durham, Cumbria, Northumberland, Cumbria and North Yorkshire aren’t faring any better. Winds of 60mph are forecast to lash the regions.

A wide front of snow and rain is forecast to hit the northernmost parts of the country in the early hours of December 31 before pushing southwards.

Wet blustery weather is expected across northern England, the Midlands and Wales through to the mid-afternoon.

Weather officials have warned travel disruption and other hazards are likely to persist in those areas until 11pm.

The storms are expected to dissipate as they move southwards, resulting in lighter showers in the southwest and southeast in the evening.

Forecasters predict a few hours of respite overnight before another larger storm hits the UK on New Year’s Day (Wednesday).

Further yellow weather alerts have been issued for ‘very strong winds’ across the entirety of England from 9am through to 6am the following day.

‘Gusts of 65-75 mph are likely around coasts and hills, especially in the south and west, with 50-60 mph gusts likely fairly widely inland,’ the Met Office warned.

Heavy rain is expected to hit western areas in the morning and persist throughout the day, with northern England and southern Scotland getting drenched in the late afternoon.

In Wales, the rain is expected to be heavy enough to warrant a yellow alert.

Forecasters say flooding of homes and businesses is ‘likely’ in some areas there.

Power cuts, flooding on roads and public transport disruption are also probable, according to the Met Office.

Chief forecaster Andy Page said: ‘There is a very complicated weather forecast for the UK with snow, strong winds and heavy rain all feature for parts of the UK.

‘Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week.

‘With such a varied and complex weather situation there is potential for the pattern of warnings to shift and possibly escalate in some areas.

‘With lots of celebrations and people on the move over the coming days, we are urging everyone to keep checking the forecast so they can update their plans.’

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