Stay tuned to the latest forecasts as UK faces wet and windy weather

By Becky Mantin, ITV Weather presenter

The weather – always a talking point – has certainly been the topic of conversation over the last week or so as we have flip-flopped between wet and windy, and cold and calm.

Weather warnings once again cover the UK as we brace ourselves for a spell of stormy weather through tonight and tomorrow.

These conditions come courtesy of a deep area of low pressure moving in from the Atlantic through the second half of this afternoon and overnight tonight.

Weather warnings for gale force winds and heavy rain are in force for much of the UK overnight.

Snow is likely on the leading edge of the system as it hits the cold air but, away from the highest ground, it is rain that will sweep across the country tonight, leading to the threat of localised flooding.

After some very cold nights recently, temperatures tonight will actually rise a little – albeit briefly - as the strong winds move in (snow melt further increasing the threat of localised flooding across the central spine of Scotland) – but even so the general feel across the UK will continue to be cold.

This system, zooming through on a jet stream that is typically strong for the time of year, clears the bulk of the rain away by the morning although heavy, often wintry showers will continue across western Scotland and Northern Ireland areas throughout the morning, spreading into many parts of northern England and Wales throughout the afternoon.

In the wake of that rain-bearing weather system it will continue to be extremely windy and weather warnings for that wind will remain in force for many until at least tomorrow evening.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England are relatively used to the stormy conditions at this time of year, but it is less usual to see winds that gust up to 75mph across southern areas.

These winds will certainly be disruptive and could be damaging, so make sure you keep up to date with the latest travel information in the next 24-36 hours. Big waves should also be expected around the coastline.

Aside from the wind, many central and eastern areas will enjoy a good deal of brightness through tomorrow and much of Friday with winds gradually easing from all areas but the far north of Scotland towards the end of the working week.

There is some degree of uncertainty surrounding the forecast for the weekend – and in particular the track of another deep area of low pressure and how far north it will bring its wet, windy and potentially wintry conditions.

You are advised to stay tuned to the latest weather forecasts for the very latest on this developing situation.