FOUR train operators have warned of delays as gales and thunderstorms are forecast this weekend.

Travel chaos could hit the UK over the weekend as the Met Office warned Brits to brace themselves only hours after an Arctic blast plunged the nation into a -6C chill overnight.

4

4

Most of Britain will get a soaking tomorrow as rain and cloud moves northwards across the country.

That’s led National Rail to issue the warning that “severe weather” may affect journeys on the Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern networks over the weekend.

A post to their website reads: “Heavy rainfall is expected on the Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern networks.

“This may affect journeys from the evening of Saturday, 27 April, until the middle of the day on Sunday, 28 April.

“Some strong winds are also expected on the South Coast, which may affect Southern services in this area.

“Please continue to check your journey before you go to the station.”

The Met Office said: “It will be an uncertain start to the weekend though likely unsettled.

“A frontal system continues to push north across the UK, coupled with strong winds and possible coastal gales.

“This will likely be followed by a showery day with potential thunderstorms on Sunday and again on Monday.”

The Environment Agency has issued 40 amber flood alerts across England.

But the agency said the general flood risk over the weekend is actually very low.

As the weather moves up the country, there are some sunny spells forecast for the north.

Sunday will also be unsettled and nippy before the mercury begins to rise again.

Today will be cold and cloudy for most Brits with scattered showers in many parts.

Cloud will blanket southern England, with some heavy rain falling in the south west.

But the north could enjoy a few patches of sunshine amid the general greyness.

A thick band of rain clouds will push up from the south overnight while a rural frost settles in the north.

Showers will spritz coastal areas, with slightly clearer night skies inland.

Met Office expert Alex Burkill said: “An area of low pressure is likely to deepen somewhere towards the south west of the UK today.

“There is a reasonable chance that this low will clear away towards the south.

“But some models want it to come back up towards the UK as we go into the weekend.

“If this happens, then that would bring some heavy rain spreading up from the south and also some strong winds.

“So a pretty unsettled weekend to come – but there is some uncertainty.”

A punishing low of -6.3C was recorded in the Cumbrian village of Shap last night.

Next week will see a mix of wet weather in the west and dry spells in the east.

4