Met Office weather warnings issued for New Year's Eve - Heavy rain and gales to 'wreck' celebrations across UK

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for rain, wind and ice on New Year’s Eve as forecasters predict that Saturday will be the wettest day of the weekend.

In the south-west of England and much of Wales, a yellow weather warning is in place until 9pm on Saturday with weather experts warning that bus and train journeys may be disrupted.

Some homes and businesses could also be flooded.

Another yellow warning for ice is in force for much of Scotland until 11am on New Year’s Eve, while a wind warning is scheduled to last until 3am.

Short-term power cuts, travel disruption and large waves on coastal routes may be affected.

Over the last few days, parts of Somerset have already been battered with flooding due to heavy rain.

Driving conditions may also be affected as weather conditions become increasingly “unsettled”.

Heavy rain and snow will move across northern England and then across Scotland over the weekend.

There will also be strong winds across south-west England, but temperatures will remain mild.

Temperatures across the weekend are predicted to reach 13C in the south, 10C in the north and 12C in Wales.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Helen Caughey said “It’ll be an unsettled New Year weekend for much of the UK.

"New Year’s Eve for most will be the wetter of the two days, with a number of fronts bringing rain and wind across much of the country."