The UK is braced for travel delays, flooding and power cuts on Monday as a storm bringing heavy rain, wind and snow moves in.
Britain’s national forecaster issued several travel warnings with Northern Ireland, northern and central England and Scotland expected to be particularly at risk of disruption.
The Met Office said there could be vehicles and passengers stranded on the roads and rail and air cancellations.
It also warned that driving conditions could become dangerous, mobile phone coverage affected and rural communities cut off. There have been no flight cancellations so far.
The storm has not been officially named but social media users have been calling it "Ellen".
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An aerial view of the Welsh village of Crickhowell which has been cut off as the river Usk bursts its banks at Crickhowell bridge near the Bridge End Inn in Crickhowell, Wales. Getty Images -
Damaged cars as a tree fell down after being hit by strong winds in Caen, after storm Dennis swept accross northwestern France, leaving around 18.500 houses without electricity. AFP -
A man wades through in flood water as he passes houses in Church Street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP -
Employees of York City Council use sand bags to increase flood defences as the River Ouse in York continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images -
A lorry loaded with heavy duty sand bags waits to be unloaded as flood defences are prepared on the River Ouse in York as it continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images -
A rescue boat is lifted from the water by Mountain Rescue crews after a river patrol on the River Ouse in York as it continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images -
Vehicles make their way through flooding at Dumbarton Quay during storm Dennis in Dumbarton, Scotland. Getty Images -
A river rescue boat patrols the River Ouse as it continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images -
Flood water surrounds grave stones in a graveyard in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP -
A swan passes a car abandoned in flood water in a car park after the River Trent burst its banks, in Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire, in central England. AFP -
Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP -
A man rescues a floating plant pot from flood water, outside of a flood-bound house in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP -
Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP -
Items float in flood water inside a flooded charity shop in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP
It comes after a volatile February in which the UK was lashed with heavy rain, with flights and football matches cancelled and dozens of flood warnings issued after Storms Dennis and Ciara battered Europe.
The UK's Environment Agency said England had already received 141 per cent of its average February rainfall with some areas experiencing a month’s worth in 24 hours.
“Further spells of rain in northern England throughout the weekend, which are also expected into next week, could cause further flooding, particularly across the Pennines and parts of northern England, York and the Midlands,” said the agency's Caroline Douglass.
“River levels remain high and ongoing river flooding remains probable for the River Severn next week as it responds to heavy rainfall.
“This will be the third weekend of exceptional river levels and stormy weather. With the effects of climate change, we need to prepare for more frequent periods of extreme weather like this."
The stormy weather has also affected Germany, with carnival parades cancelled at short notice in the east because of high winds and heavy rain.
