Met Office warns of 'significant differences' in computer models as menacing Arctic blast threatens Britain - 'Change on the way'

The Met Office has warned of “significant differences” in computer models as a menacing Arctic blast threatens Britain.

A yellow weather warning for rain was put in place from 9pm on Wednesday until 5pm on Thursday across much of South West England and Wales, and Herefordshire and Shropshire.

It said some higher ground areas may get 70 to 90mm or more of rain, and that downpours could flood properties and cause power cuts.

Temperatures are expected to dramatically drop next week and the UK will be pelted by relentless rain rather than the current showers.

The Met Office wrote: “At this point significant differences in the computer models emerge.

"Most solutions lead to some unsettled weather, but the distribution of the rainfall and where we’re likely to see any snow varies as well.

"On Tuesday next week, the greatest risk of snow will be across northern parts of the UK, perhaps central areas and mostly over the hills.”

The Environment Agency issued 35 flood warnings and 114 flood alerts for areas across England where flooding is expected or possible.

Meteorologist Aidan McGivern explained: “The jet stream is a bit more amplified and it’s coming at the UK from the northwest rather than from the west like recent days.

"This subtle change into the start of next week will see colder weather coming in and rather than prolonged bouts of rain from the west, we’re likely to see rain and showers coming from the northwest.”

The Met Office said further persistent rain will move in on Friday night and into Saturday, with the heaviest rain likely to be further north, including north Wales, northern England and Scotland.