Heavy downpours and strong winds are set to hit parts of UK with snow returning to the Peak District

Britons are bracing for a washout weekend as heavy downpours and strong winds are set to hit parts of the UK and snow returns to the Peak District. 

The latest battering of wet conditions comes as experts predict this month could be the UK’s wettest March on record. 

The UK is set for a chilly start to the weekend as a day of rain and cold gusty winds, with some winter hail showers, is forecast and parts of northern England wake up to a blanket of snow. 

While those living in parts of the Peak District woke up to a sprinkling of the white stuff, other parts of the UK rose to find the sun peaking through the clouds before the weather is set to turn wet again.   

Early rain and hill snow seen over parts of northern England and Scotland is expected to clear away eastwards this morning but colder conditions are here to stay.  

As Brits brace themselves for a wet weekend, residents in the village of Bretton, in the Peak District, woke to find a light dusting of snowfall as chillier conditions are set to remain throughout the day

Snow is seen in the village of Bretton in the Derbyshire Peak District this morning as much of the UK wakes up to another cold day for rain and wind

Snow is seen in the village of Bretton in the Derbyshire Peak District this morning as much of the UK wakes up to another cold day for rain and wind

The Met Office said another blustery day is expected with a mixture of sunny spells and showers, which may be heavy at times with hail in some places. 

Those out and about today may feel quite cold and the same is due to continue into the night, with a touch of frost in some places. 

Some showers are also expected in the early evening tonight which will eventually be confined to parts of northern, western and central UK.    

The latest battering of rain and wind comes as it was revealed this month is set to be the wettest March on record. 

According to The Mirror, March is to follow in the footsteps of February, which was the wettest on record due to a series of storms and weather warnings. 

It is estimated parts of Scotland could see up to 4.64in of rainfall by March 24 and the UK is expected to see an estimated 2.5in over 12 days. 

While the UK may be set for another day of downpours and blustery winds, residents in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, woke up to see blue skies breaking through the clouds this morning

While the UK may be set for another day of downpours and blustery winds, residents in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, woke up to see blue skies breaking through the clouds this morning

Making the most of the milder weather conditions, one man was seen out for a morning job in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, but the effects of the recent downpours can still be see as he navigates his way around the puddles

Making the most of the milder weather conditions, one man was seen out for a morning job in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, but the effects of the recent downpours can still be see as he navigates his way around the puddles

Wales is estimated to get up to 3.7in of rain and 3.6in are predicted for the north of England.   

Meteogroup forecast Sunday will have a largely dry and bright start to the day with early spells of sunshine but thick cloud cover will tend to build in from the west during the day. 

There will be scattered showers across western areas and rain will spread into Northern Ireland and western Britain during the afternoon and evening.

And the cloud is set to continue into the beginning of next week, with mostly dry conditions and some sunny spells but with clouds building during the day – with a chance of a few showers developing.

And it was not just Britons who have been making the most of the glimpse of milder weather this morning, this robin was seen waiting to be fed in the morning sunshine in Playhatch, Oxfordshire, this morning

And it was not just Britons who have been making the most of the glimpse of milder weather this morning, this robin was seen waiting to be fed in the morning sunshine in Playhatch, Oxfordshire, this morning

The sun broke through the clouds at the marina in Gravesend, Kent, today ahead of a predicted day of rain and gusts of wind

The sun broke through the clouds at the marina in Gravesend, Kent, today ahead of a predicted day of rain and gusts of wind

Tuesday will be overcast and unsettled with thick cloud and outbreaks of rain which will be heavy at times and clear from the west to reveal bright spells later

As Britons are set to be hit by showers and strong winds, five flood warnings have been put in place in the north of England, including in Keswick in the Lake District and the River Ouse at York, as well as Somerset. 

Meanwhile, Ladbrokes has cut odds from 6/1 to just 3/1 on the wettest day of 2021 being recorded this weekend. 

Elsewhere, it remains a 7/4 shot for this to go down as the wettest March on record.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: ‘It looks like we’re in for a record-breaking month for all the wrong reasons on the weather front.’ 

Later in the week temperatures are predicted to drop below zero as cold Arctic winds continue to batter parts of the UK, with Scotland seeing temperatures as low as 23F (-5C).