Britain to be buried in up to 10cm of snow on Boxing Day

Britain is set to be battered by snow and heavy rain on Boxing Day with up to 10cm falling in places.

Much of the snow and ice is set to hit Scotland where drivers have been warned to look out for icy surfaces.

But further south more heavy rain and snow is predicted for much of the Midlands, Yorkshire and North West.

Snow has also been predicted for Wales with between 15mm and 25mm with temperatures set to plummet due to the heavy wind and rain.

Boxing Day will also see temperatures plummet in stark contrast to the balmy 10C in some places, such as Brighton, but weather experts have warned the mild conditions will not continue.

There will be a bright but icy start to Boxing Day with temperatures overnight down to 1 to 4 C. With wind from the north rain is expected to turn to snow overhills.

The colder weather will extend across most other parts on Christmas night and into Boxing Day with outbreaks of heavy rain and stronger winds.

Sunshine and showers will follow during Boxing Day with the showers in the north falling as snow. It will feel noticeably colder across all parts.

Rain and snow is possible first thing on Wednesday morning for southern England, with wintry showers continuing in the far north.

Brighter elsewhere with sunny spells for many.

The severe weather warning for snow that was issued for much of Scotland, as well as North West England and North East England, is set to last until lunchtime on December 26.

Heavy rain, up to 40mm in some places, will then fall on the Midlands, Yorkshire, Wales, North and South West further into the evening and into Wednesday morning.

The Met Office's chief forecaster said in statement: "Some roads and railways are likely to be affected by longer journey times due to standing water or snow. There is also a smaller chance that individual homes and businesses could be flooded."

Thousands of drivers were caught up in Christmas Day motorway misery today after a crash shut the M1 motorway at junction 8 for Hemel Hempstead causing huge tailbacks.

Drivers described chaos on the roads with reports of ‘debris’ on the carriageway but were quick to praise the emergency services as an air ambulance came into land.

And swimmers around the country took advantage of the warmer weather by taking part in Christmas Day dips.

Swimmers in Santa outfits - and even a dog - enjoyed the surf in Brighton - even though the beaches were officially closed because of high winds and rough seas.

Hundreds of swimmers headed to Sutton Park in Birmingham for a seasonal swim while a group of women in mermaid-style costumes plunged into the waters off Exmouth, Devon.

And brave souls took to the seas in King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth, despite the chilly weather.

Brighton Council issued a warning about the dangers of winter swimming and said that it would “once again be taking extra measures to discourage swimmers from taking a Christmas Day dip by closing access to the beaches” by the pier.

Seafront manager Chris Ingall said: “As open water swimming has become more popular over the last five years, we are seeing more groups of swimmers gathering for winter swim sessions.

“It is extremely important that those wishing to enjoy this invigorating and extreme form of free and healthy activity fully understand the real dangers involved.

“Cold water sea swimming takes skill, stamina and knowledge of the physical dangers and should only be for the very experienced, using suitable wetsuits, in very calm conditions and with friends.

“Unlike many other beaches, where you can gradually enter the water, Brighton and Hove beach has a steep shingle slope making it difficult to leave and enter the water especially during the four hours over the high tide period.Brighton might have ‘basked’ in temperatures of 10 degrees Centigrade but after a mild start to Christmas Britain is heading to a chilly Boxing Day.