Parts of the UK are in for heavy rain today and tomorrow, with a two day weather warning in place before a sub zero temperature drop by the end of the week.
The Met Office has issued a yellow alert for parts of Scotland lasting from now until around 3pm Wednesday, but many other parts of the country will be hit by downpours too.
Transport disruption is expected in western Scotland with as much as 200mm (7.8 inches) of rain expected to fall by the end of Wednesday, creating a risk of floods.
Rainfall is forecast for the west of England and Wales, though the south and the east are expected to stay largely dry.
In fact, despite the downpours, temperatures are still well above average for this time of year before a sharp drop on Thursday, potentially as high as 17C.
After that though a wintery frost is due to set in which could see overnight temperatures into Friday morning as low as -7C.
Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin said: "It's going to be very soggy on Tuesday and Wednesday and we're particularly concerned about western Scotland where the rain will be heavy and persistent and could cause some problems - we have a yellow Met Office warning.
"At times there will be rain in Northern and western parts of Ireland, a bit of drizzle over the hills of western England and Wales.
"During Wednesday, much of eastern and central Britain starts dry but rain will pep up in the west and that will swing its way eastwards through the day.
"By the end of Wednesday, 100mm of rain over hills and mountains [in Scotland], maybe 200mm of rain so that could cause some flooding and disruption to transport."
But even when the country starts to dry out, the unpleasant weather isn't over yet.
Chill northern winds will see a significant temperature plunge on Thursday into Friday.
Mr Deakin said: "It does turn colder, temperatures really dropping off through Wednesday night and Thursday significant wind chill, with pretty extensive frost on Friday morning."
MET OFFICE OUTLOOK
Today:
Very mild, windy and mostly cloudy, though probably a few breaks in the east. Mostly dry for many, but some rain at times in the west, mainly over hills and especially over northwest Scotland where persistent, heavy rain is expected.
Tonight:
Mild, windy and mostly cloudy. Mostly dry in the east, but further heavy rain over northwest Scotland whilst elsewhere in the west rain turns more widespread later in the night.
Wednesday:
Early rain, heavy at times, in the west moving eastwards. Colder, brighter conditions follow with a few showers, mainly in the northwest. Windy, especially in the north and west later.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Rather windy. Becoming colder Thursday with sunny spells and showers, wintry in northern Scotland. Rain spreading from the west Friday and milder. Cooler with sunshine and showers on Saturday.
