A bomb cyclone that has unleashed deadly icy temperatures over in North America will bring wet and windy weather to the UK over the next few days, forecasters say.
A total of 57 people are believed to have died across the United States following huge snowfall and subzero conditions over the festive period.
The winter storm has been described as one of the worst weather-related disasters ever to hit the country.
"Knock-on effects" from the cyclone on the cross-Atlantic jet stream means a period of unsettled weather back in Britain is now likely to continue into the new year - although on a much smaller scale than across the pond.
A yellow weather warning for heavy rain is in place from 3am on Friday for 15 hours across much of Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling.
The Met Office said heavy rain could bring some flooding and travel disruption, while flood warnings remain in place in England and Wales following recent rainfall.
Attributing the grim outlook to the 'bomb cyclone' of the US storm, Meteorologist Simon Partridge said: "The UK weather is going to remain unsettled with further spells of wet and windy weather due to the strengthening of the jet stream because of the weather in the US.
"The effect it's having on the UK is nowhere near as dramatic because that system has brought up a lot of cold air further south, across the US," he said.
He said the US storm had served to "strengthen the jet stream" because of the sharp contrast in temperatures in creates, something which adds pressure to the weather system.
Mr Partridge added that Thursday would be a cool day with showers affecting a few areas, while Friday would be more unsettled. Frosts and fog are also likely overnight over the next few days.
UK weather forecast:
Windy with sunshine and showers today.
Today:
Rain across far north and northwest will turn more showery by afternoon, with some snow over high ground. Elsewhere, a windy day with a mixture of sunshine and showers, heavy in the west. Best of dry weather in the east.
Tonight:
Clear spells and frost in north and east, with showers in coastal west. Strong winds and heavy rain moving northeast across western and northern areas, with snow over Scottish hills.
Friday:
Rain and strong winds clearing east, although persisting far north with increasing risk of snow over northern Highlands. Sunshine and a few showers following from west. Mild, except far north.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Unsettled and breezy with rain or showers this weekend. Some hill snow likely in Scotland. Drier and less windy on Monday. Mild in the south this weekend, otherwise rather cold.
