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Severe weather warnings as UK battered by storms Severe weather warnings as UK battered by storms
(about 2 hours later)
Storms are battering the UK, with snow, downpours of rain and winds of up to 65mph (105km/h). Storms have been battering the UK, with snow, downpours of rain and winds of up to 65mph (105km/h).
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are worst hit, with the weather bringing disruption across the country. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were worst hit, with the weather bringing disruption across the country.
BBC forecasters say low pressure is ushering in the first strong autumn storms which could bring down branches. A weather warning has now been issued for London and the South East, with predictions for more than 70mm (2.75in) of rain overnight, and strong winds are forecast in Scotland.
Severe weather warnings are in place in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and western counties of England, with snow and sleet closing roads in Scotland. Eleven flood warnings are in place for Wales, the Midlands and the North East.
The Met Office says showers and thunderstorms are expected to approach Kent and Sussex from the English Channel in the evening with occasionally thundery rain.
It said heavy rain had replaced earlier snow in Aberdeen, Braemar and Dumfries and Galloway.
Drifting snowDrifting snow
In Scotland, gale force winds and driving rain are battering large parts of the country. BBC forecasters said low pressure had ushered in the first strong autumn storms.
Severe weather warnings were put in place in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and western counties of England but have now been lifted.
Travelling conditions have been poor and some ferries have been disrupted.Travelling conditions have been poor and some ferries have been disrupted.
Speed restrictions were in place on many bridges and fallen trees caused problems on the A82 near Drumnadrochit. There was snow on the higher roads such as the A9 at Drumochter in the Highlands and on the M74 north of Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway.
There is also snow on the higher roads such as the A9 at Drumochter in the Highlands and on the M74 north of Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway. Grampian Police said the A93 Glenshee to Braemar road was closed because of drifting snow and high winds.
Grampian Police said the A93 Glenshee to Braemar road was closed due to drifting snow and high winds and would remain closed for some time. But snow triggered optimism in Scotland's ski resorts as flakes began to fall at Lecht in Aberdeenshire and the Cairngorm Mountain resort near Aviemore.
But snow triggered optimism in Scotland's ski resorts as flakes began to fall at Lecht ski resort in Aberdeenshire and Cairngorm Mountain ski resort near Aviemore.
Cairngorm operations manager Colin Matthew said: "We started skiing at the end of November last year, so we hope it's the start of a good year."Cairngorm operations manager Colin Matthew said: "We started skiing at the end of November last year, so we hope it's the start of a good year."
In Northern Ireland, motorists were advised to drive with extreme caution after reports of ice, flooding, debris and fallen trees on the roads after overnight storms.In Northern Ireland, motorists were advised to drive with extreme caution after reports of ice, flooding, debris and fallen trees on the roads after overnight storms.
A number of severe weather warnings have been issued by The Met Office.
Mid-week respite
In Wales, there were warnings of gale force winds and heavy rain.
Parts of the north-west of England were set to be hit by heavy snow and rain and a severe weather warning of heavy rain was also issued for south west England.
Rain is expected to spread eastwards throughout the day.
BBC weather forecaster Alex Deakin said there would be winds of 40 or 50mph, but they could reach 65mph on western coasts.
Although the storms are fairly typical for the time of year, they follow a period of quite benign conditions, he added.
The longer-term forecast is also bleak, with storms and heavy winds likely to return by Thursday or Friday after a brief mid-week respite.The longer-term forecast is also bleak, with storms and heavy winds likely to return by Thursday or Friday after a brief mid-week respite.