Wales bears brunt of fresh snowfalls

Britain was hit by snow, sleet and rain today with downpours forecast to dominate tonight.

Wales saw the worst of the snow overnight, with up to 2in (5cm) settling in some areas, especially over higher ground, according to forecaster Stephen Davenport.

A band of wintry showers of snow and sleet was expected to spread north and east from Wales and the Midlands to northern England before reaching southern Scotland later.

Southern England experienced heavy rain, with the South West and West Country bearing the brunt.

Mr Davenport, of MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "Wales have had the worst of the snow so far but it's heading northwards.

"It's gradually turning to rain in the south as milder conditions come in.

"By the time the band gets up to southern Scotland it's turning to rain almost everywhere else."

Temperatures are varied but there are signs that milder conditions are on the way, with southern England hitting 10C-11C (50F-52F), Mr Davenport added.

In northern England, however, the mercury is unlikely to go above freezing (32F) or 2C (36F).

The mixed picture is set to continue into the weekend, which will feature snow showers, rain and dry spells.

"Much of England and Wales will clear up tomorrow for a better afternoon," said Mr Davenport. "But there will still be some wintry showers in Wales, north-west England and southern Scotland."

The wet and wintry picture continues on Sunday as showery outbreaks are predicted across the country.

But forecasters said the snowfall will give way to a milder spell going into next week with temperatures that could reach as high as 13C (55.4F)

Helen Chivers, forecaster at the Met Office, said: "Really, it's just normal wintry weather we've got over the next few days. As we go into next week, it's going to be very much milder."