London braced for storms

The capital was set to escape the worst of the wintry weather due to sweep the country this week but has been warned to expect rain and gales.

Snow moving eastwards is expected to fall heavily in the North, while major storms are predicted to hit central and southern parts.

Gale force winds of up to 40mph will blow in from France and up to an inch of rain could fall in less than 24 hours.

The heavy rain was due to arrive at 9am today. The Met Office warned London and the South-East to "be prepared".

Forecasters said there was a slight chance of more snow but nothing like the downfalls that brought London to a standstill last week. The rest of the week will be unsettled and cold with average daytime temperatures of 2C and 3C. Overnight, temperatures will plunge to -1C.

The Met Office said conditions would become warmer later in the week, but that this would only be a brief respite.

Forecaster Byron Chalcraft said: "It's certainly shaping up to be the coldest winter in 15 or 20 years. Tomorrow there will be major storms with central and southern parts being the worst hit. The week will be unsettled, rainy, sleety and very much on the cold side."