UK weather forecast: ‘Danger to life’ warnings issued as torrential rain to deluge swathes of UK

Flooding, power cuts and transport chaos could hit parts of the UK which will be lashed with up to 100mm of rain, forecasters said as "danger to life" warnings were issued.

Hill snow is also forecast this weekend in northern regions, where overnight temperatures may drop to -1C.

A severe amber warning for rain, in place from 7am today to 3am on Friday has been issued for parts of the east Midlands northwest England, including Sheffield and other parts of Yorkshire and Humber.

This means fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life. Homes, businesses and buildings are also likely to be affected.

"Accumulations of up to 100mm are possible within the warning area which could cause significant disruption,” the Met Office said.

“The rain will be heaviest across northern England and north east Wales,” said Steven Keats, a Met Office meteorologist. “Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield will probably all be affected. Obviously it’s been very wet already, so some flooding is likely.”

The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning and 46 flood alerts across England.

Northern regions may see train and bus services cancelled due to the rain.

The Met Office said there was “a good chance” that some communities would be cut off by flooding and that power cuts were likely.

“There is also a broader yellow warning across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire,” Mr Keats said. “And there’s a separate yellow weather warning for Wales. South of that, it’s not so wet.”

Strong winds, sunshine and showers are likely in the southwest on Thursday and some hill snow is forecast over high ground in Scotland.

Temperatures across the country will range between 7C and 10C, though rural areas and parts of Scotland will see colder conditions.

The Met Office expects overnight temperatures to drop to -4C in the north and -1C in parts of the south.

Friday will dawn cloudier in southern regions, Mr Keats said, but "Scotland and Northern Ireland will have a much improved day,” he added. “It will be crisp there, a lovely day with blue skies. Temperatures will recover bit, around 7C in Scotland.”

The rain will intensify and return on Saturday, which will also see more snow in England.

“Rain will push in from Northern Ireland in the west,” Mr Keats said. “It will be quite windy and there will potentially be some snow in Scotland and in northern England across higher ground. It probably won’t be much but may cause some transport disruption in the Pennines, for Transpennine routes.”

The rain may linger through Sunday leading to an unsettled start to the following week.

“On balance eastern regions will have the better day on Saturday and wester ones the better day on Sunday,” Mr Keats said. "Really for the next few days it will be unsettled, chilly, with a bit of snow and a bit of frost.”