BRITAIN is set to be hit by three days of torrential downpours starting from tomorrow.
The prospect of more flooding comes less than a week after Storm Darragh lashed the UK.
The Met Office has said rain will become persistent across parts of western Scotland during Sunday.
It will continue throughout Monday before easing later on Tuesday.
Yellow weather warnings for rain are in place from 6pm tomorrow until 12pm on Tuesday.
During this period 70-100mm of rain is likely to fall widely, but possibly over 150mm for some exposed hills and mountains.
The forecaster added that rapid melting of lying snow will also contribute to any potential impacts.
The Met Office posted on X: “Parts of western and northern Scotland will see a spell of very wet weather during the coming days as a band of rain becomes slow-moving across the area.
“Some hills and mountains could see around 150mm of rainfall and combined with snowmelt may lead to the risk of flooding.”
Meteorologist Craig Snell said: “This afternoon will see a few showers across more western parts of Wales and England.
“But the main bulk of the cloud and rain will be across Northern Ireland and western Scotland.
“The heaviest and most persistent rain will probably arrive after dark while temperatures will be around the seasonal average.”
A picturesque Christmas where widespread snow covers the ground is extremely rare, and since 1960 has only happened four times – in 1981, 1995, 2009 and 2010.
Simon Partridge, a meteorologist for the Met Office, said predicting weather far in advance is like “betting on horses”.
He said: “There will be a consensus of the most likely pattern to be coming out but it doesn’t always.”
At the moment, a picture book Christmas is looking unlikely with “south-westerly winds” expected and rain across the northern and western parts of the UK.
Everywhere else is expected to be “fairly mild”.
However, if you’re desperate for snow, Mr Partridge suggests heading to the Scottish mountains – the most likely place for snowfall in the UK this Christmas.
Today:
A brighter day than of late for many. Sunny spells and scattered showers across the UK.
However, thicker cloud and outbreaks of rain will move in across Scotland and Northern Ireland through the afternoon.
Milder air arriving across the northwest.
Tonight:
Cloud and outbreaks of rain will continue to slowly move southeastwards across the UK through this evening and overnight.
Temperatures rising through the night as mild air spills in.
Sunday:
Cloudy, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. The driest weather will be towards the southeast and wettest towards the northwest.
Mild for all and turning increasingly windy in the north.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
Monday remains blustery, but it will be a little brighter. Heavy rain continuing across western Scotland.
Wet and windy weather slowly moving eastwards through Tuesday and Wednesday. Mild for all.
