Snow warnings issued as UK braces for new storm

British forecasters on Wednesday issued a fresh weather warning for snow before a new storm Dennis is expected to unleash strong winds and heavy rains across the country this weekend.

Named by the Met Office, Storm Dennis will bring heavy rain and strong gusts to many parts of Britain on Saturday and Sunday, as much of the country is still grappling with the aftermath of Storm Ciara, the "storm of the century".

The yellow warning for snow covers parts of northern England and Scotland from 2 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Thursday, with up to 8 cm of possible snow. The rest of Britain will see a band of heavy rain sweeping northeastwards, freezing as it reaches northwest England and southwest Scotland, the English newspaper Evening Standard reported.

Over the weekend, wind gusts of 80 kph are expected, with more than 96 kph possible over hills, coastal areas and exposed locations, the Met Office said.

With already saturated ground, there is a risk of further flooding over the weekend with possible heavy rainfall, said the Met office. Forty-three warnings are still in place in England, six in Scotland and one in Wales following recent heavy rainfall.

Storm Dennis is expected to bring a range of impacts, including delays and cancellations to transport services, damage to power supplies and large coastal waves, warned the Met Office.

Causing disruption to trains, flights and motorists over the last weekend, Storm Ciara reportedly had killed two people in Britain, leaving more than 20,000 properties across east and southeast England and north Wales without power on Sunday night.