Torrential rain hits the Spinningfields area of Manchester on Wednesday afternoon

The Met Office have issued yellow warnings of snow and ice for Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, the Central belt, Tayside and Fife, the Highlands and Islands, Grampian and Lothian and Borders.

Storm Jake has hit parts of the United Kingdom bringing with it 77mph winds, snowfall and hard driving conditions.

Gardaí are warning motorists to drive with "extreme care" as there are reports of a number of fallen trees and debris on the roads.

ICE, snow and 70mph winds are set to blight the Wednesday morning commute as Storm Jake sweeps in, forecasters say.

He added that there is a snow warning in place for between 9pm on Thursday and 3pm on Friday across the northern half of Wales, north west England and the far east of England.

Snow was reported in Stroud and Cinderford earlier today, as parts of Britain are expected to be covered by four inches of snow before the weekend.

Here's the Met Office's forecast: "A band of wintry showers will cross the southwest of Wales and southwest England on Wednesday morning with winds strengthening in association".

"Isolated gusts of 70mph are possible in exposed places and around west and northwest facing coasts with 50mph gusts possible inland".

There is also a weather advisory for coastal fringes of the north, west and south.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "A cold and blustery day". "Everywhere will see frequent showers during the night time period and there will be a cold, raw feeling on Wednesday with winds settling in, particularly in the afternoon which will not be pleasant".