Snow, floods and flying cats: UK's weird weather continues

MUCH of the UK is under a severe weather warning following a weekend of erratic conditions. The country has endured everything from torrential rain, hail and fierce winds to thunder, lightning, snow and the odd ray of sunshine over the last few days.

One woman in Surrey even claimed to have seen a "flying-cat-tornado". Shirley Blay, who keeps horses at a stable yard in Chobham, told the Daily Mirror: "We've got four feral cats in the yard and they were being lifted off the ground – about six foot off the ground – they just went round like a big paper bag. It was a mini tornado, I can't describe it as anything less."

The Met Office said it was more likely to be a violent swirling gust than a tornado but did not rule it out.

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Winds of 75mph were recorded at Lydd, Kent, and there were many reports of the wind speed suddenly changing from calm to gale force.

Forecasters are now warning that temperatures will drop to below freezing this week as snow is expected across much of the UK by Wednesday, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Before then, showers are forecast for most of the country on Monday and Tuesday. The Environment Agency has issued more than 140 flood alerts and 10 more serious flood warnings in the South West, which mean flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

Over the weekend, the heaviest rain was in Wales, where around 22mm fell during Saturday night and Sunday. In Snowdonia, two walkers had to be rescued from a mountain after they were struck by lightning. The two friends, aged 58 and 37, were yesterday recovering in hospital.

Looking ahead to the end of the week, more rain is expected for much of the country on Friday, with a risk of widespread ice. The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK, including alerts for ice, hailstorms and thunder.