Storm Eleanor may be winding down but more severe weather is on the way this weekend, with temperatures in Scotland set to plummet to -10C.

The Met Office said the South could also expect sub-zero temperatures on Saturday night, with -3C predicted.

Winds are expected to ease over the next few days but rain is likely in southern England, Wales and Northern Ireland on Thursday morning, with further showers on Friday before frost covers much of the UK over the weekend.

:: UK weather: The latest Sky News forecast

Image: Waves hit rocks in Portreath as storm-force winds caused high tides and flooding

It comes as the country recovers from the heavy rain and strong winds brought about by the fifth named storm of the season on Tuesday and Wednesday.


Thousands of homes nationwide lost power as a result of the extreme conditions, with 25,000 properties left without electricity in Northern Ireland, 22,000 in southern England, 41,000 across the South West and Midlands areas, and more than 11,000 in the North East.

Some were still without power on Wednesday evening.

:: Storm Eleanor: Huge clean-up under way as 100mph gusts batter UK

Storm Eleanor floods cars and shops

Among the highest recorded wind speeds were 90mph at Orlock Head in Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening, with gusts just shy of that recorded on the Isle of Wight, and 70mph winds in other parts of the UK.

Disruption has been widespread on the roads, with fallen trees in Worcestershire and Wales, a collapsed harbour wall in Portreath, Cornwall, and closures to the Dartford Crossing, the Severn River Crossing and the Orwell Bridge in Suffolk.

Railway lines were also affected by fallen debris, with a tree on the line between Cambridge and London King's Cross causing major delays and problems with journeys between Hayes and Harlington and London Paddington because of damaged overhead wires.

Saturday night in particular is looking very cold with a widespread frost across the UK pic.twitter.com/03ciq5OMd6 — Met Office (@metoffice) January 3, 2018

:: Driver battles through floods

The Environment Agency has said that flooding risks could remain in coastal areas for several days and has warned people not to try and take "storm selfies".

"As the unsettled weather continues, large waves combined with high tides could lead to coastal flooding over the next few days, particularly in the west and South West of England," said flood duty manager Neil Davies.

"We urge people to stay safe on the coast, take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades, and don't put yourself in unnecessary danger trying to take 'storm selfies'."

There were 17 flood warnings and 126 flood alerts in place on Wednesday, prompting the Thames Barrier to be closed.