Will it snow in Lancashire as temperatures set to drop across the UK this week?
Lancashire is braced for another unsettled week of wet and windy weather – with forecasters warning that colder air could bring a touch of winter by the weekend.
The Met Office says a spell of heavy rain and gusty winds will move across the North West through Tuesday and Wednesday, with further showers expected later in the week.
While the worst of the weather – and the latest yellow warnings – are focused on southern England and Wales, Lancashire is still set for plenty of rain, blustery winds and falling temperatures.
Tuesday will be cloudy with rain moving in from the south-west, turning heavy at times and accompanied by coastal gales.
Temperatures will stay mild, reaching around 14C, before dipping overnight to 8C.
Wednesday should bring a few brighter spells, but rain will return to southern areas of the county by the afternoon.
From Thursday onwards, conditions will remain unsettled, with spells of rain interspersed with clearer, cooler intervals.
Temperatures will gradually return to seasonal averages by Friday, and the Met Office says parts of northern England and Scotland could even see a dusting of snow over higher ground.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong said low pressure would continue to dominate the weather pattern.
“We have recently updated the yellow warnings for southwest England and southern Wales to cater for the rain and wind that continues into Wednesday,” he said.
“There are increased sensitivities now compared to earlier in the autumn due to recent heavy rainfall events, so we are keeping a close eye on already saturated ground as this could lead to some flooding.
“Difficult travelling conditions are also expected, with delays and the increased possibility of accidents.”
By the weekend, the north of the UK will turn noticeably colder, with overnight frosts possible and daytime temperatures only reaching single figures.
For Lancashire, that means a chillier but potentially drier and brighter spell by Sunday, as the wet weather gradually clears south.
The Environment Agency is warning of minor surface water flooding in parts of the country due to saturated ground, urging drivers not to attempt to travel through flood water.
The Met Office says there is still some uncertainty over how Friday’s weather system will develop, but more warnings for wind and rain are likely later in the week.