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A weather expert has warned that the UK faces a 20 day deluge of rain in the build-up to Christmas as the country braces for more intense winter weather. British Weather Services' Jim Dale said that the festive period could bring a series of wet weather systems from across the Atlantic that could cause disruption to Britain's roads, making for dangerous driving conditions.

Jim told us that two main factors were driving the conditions including the fact it was winter and as a result of climate change. His warnings of the impact of "aggravated" and "aggregated" rain came hours after the Met Office issuing a danger to life warning for parts of England and Wales ahead of expected heavy rain.

Jim warned: "The big one at the moment is the rain, and it's starting today. Going forward, the next 20 days looks to be predominantly Atlantic driven, low pressure driven, associated frontal systems within those low pressures and copious amounts of rain, particularly for western areas.

"There will be much above average rainfall in western areas, Wales, west England, north west England. As you go progressively eastwards that tales off a little bit.

"It's definitely the western region scenario that people, from today onwards, people have to pay attention to in terms of rivers rising and driving conditions."

The consistent battering of rain could bring with it "difficult conditions" including flooding, Jim added. He continued: "It will be aggravated rain that just makes the next rainfall event more concerning; with that there will be strong developing winds. This will take us to the December 20 and at that point we're going to see colder weather start moving in because the 528 line, the thickness line, will start to move south.

"As time goes on I think we're going to see more amber and yellow warnings, and potentially a red if it's get bad enough knowing that the Atlantic will be driving these low pressure towards us."

The weather expert added that people should be "careful" when it comes to the weather.

At the end of last week the Met Office issued a rare amber weather warning and a danger to life alert for parts of Wales that started today (December 1).

In a statement, the Met Office said: "An area of heavy rain is expected to move over South Wales between late Sunday and late Monday.

"Whilst rainfall amounts will vary, some heavy and persistent rainfall is likely to fall, especially over high ground, for example, Bannau Brycheiniog. Rain should clear to the east Monday night.

"20-40 mm of rain will fall extensively across the wider region, but 60-80 mm is expected to accumulate over some south- and southwest-facing high ground in south Wales, with a few places perhaps seeing nearer 100-120 mm.

"In addition to the potential for flooding impacts, this increases the chance of landslides on both natural and infrastructure slopes. Strong south to southwesterly winds will also accompany the heavy rain, with gales possible around coasts and over high ground."