THE MET Office has warned that a one in 250-year weather event is about to hit the UK and this is how it will affect Worcester.

The weather experts said for the first time since records began in the mid 20th century , this extended winter period (November to March) is the first in its observational records to see three Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) events.

It could mean that the city will be in for a wetter than usual end to March and start to April - just when we were looking forward to some sunny spring weather.

Met Office research suggests the likelihood of having three SSW events in one winter period is just a one in 250-year chance, although it is more likely to happen during an El Niño winter, such as this winter.

For Wednesday, March 27 to Wednesday, April 10, The Met Office predicts the air pressure is likely to move to higher than average to the north of the UK.

"This pattern tends to push the focus of unsettled weather further south than usual, with highest rainfall most likely to be in the south of the UK.

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"Conversely, northern areas tend to be drier compared to normal.

"Temperatures will probably be near average or slightly above overall, with any cooler interludes most likely in the north."

Professor Adam Scaife, head of long-range forecasting at the Met Office, said: “Although we have not seen it before, we recently documented the chances of an unprecedented three SSW events happening in one winter. Our research work, using multiple computer simulations, showed that this could occur about once in every 250 winters.

“Although this is very rare, we also found that the chance of multiple SSW events is increased during El Niño and so the chance of multiple events this winter is raised.”

Netweather.tv shows a dramatic drop in temperatures back to below 0C on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, March 22.

Temperatures could be as low as -1C on the Thursday and an even chillier -5C the following day.

This week the weather will be a mixture of dry and rainy in Worcester.

Thursday will enjoy a dry, albeit mostly cloudy start, with showery rain quickly arriving from the west turning heavy at times, according to the Met Office.

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There will be drier moments with the maximum temperature 15C.

Friday will be a day of sunshine and blustery showers while there will be a drier and brighter start on Saturday, before further rain later, and showers on Sunday.

Temperatures will remain above average, according to the Met Office.