UK weather forecast latest: Forecasters warn of downpours and thunderstorms after 'Pest from the West' grips Britain

Londoners’ hopes of a bright start to spring were potentially dashed as forecasters warned the “Pest from the West” could make way for downpours and thunderstorms.

Heavy rain was expected to move in from the South West as wintry conditions that continued wreaked havoc on much of the UK this week began to ease off on Friday.

Temperatures were expected to creep up to 14C to see off recent blizzards on Saturday, with thunder and hail sweeping across the South and South West England on Sunday.

Met Office forecaster Oli Claydon said the North West and southern Scotland would see the worst of the rain moving in over the weekend.

But he added: “There will be the chance of thunder and lightning as rain and showers push across the south and south west [on Sunday], with a chance of hail too."

A yellow weather warning remained in place for ice and snow showers remained in place for parts of Scotland this morning, expected to last until 10am.

UK Weather: Beast from the East freeze - In pictures

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About 120 schools were shut in Wales, 130 in Bradford, with scores more closed in Liverpool and Lancashire on Thursday.

Liverpool and Yorkshire were the worst hit by the blast of icy weather, with police in West Yorkshire warning motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary after they dealt with "numerous" early-morning collisions.

But not everybody was unhappy about the renewed cold snap, which came after extreme conditions crippled rail services up and down the country last week.

Delighted people were pictured sledding down hills and building snowmen as a thick blanket of snow settled over Merseyside just days after last week's big freeze.

People sledging in Camp Hill, in Woolton, Liverpool
PA

Shoppers were seen braving the cold in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, as snowflakes fell on the spring flowers. Roads were seen covered in a layer of slush and ice as temperatures plunged.

The extended cold weather comes as the UK approaches spring time, which in meteorological seasons has already begun.

Using the alternative astronomical method, spring will take place between March 20 and June 21 this year. But if you follow the meteorological calendar the season spans from March 1 to May 31.

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