HEAVY downpours have flooded London and the South East today as SNOW hit the north.

       The capital was soaked overnight as Storm Aurore blasted Britain with 45mph winds and dropped two inches of rain.

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       Flooding on the A20 in Aylesford near Maidstone, Kent Credit: LNP 23

       Surface water on the Euston road in North London caused by heavy rain over night in the capital Credit: LNP 23

       People in Essex trudge through the floodwater Credit: Stephen Huntley/HVC 23

       Surrey Police warned of driving carefully in the poor conditions after two cars crashed in Farnborough Credit: Surrey PoliceTriangle News 23

       Traffic battled through the snow on the A939 Cockbridge to Tomintoul in Scotland this morning Credit: Northpix 23

       Forecasters warned of snow over northerly hills Credit: Northpix 23

       Weather map shows heavy rainfall over the South West and South East this morning Credit: Met Office

       Snow covered the A939 in the Speyside region of Scotland this morning as traffic battled its way through the ice.

       Meanwhile cars were seen wading through floodwater in Essex, London and Surrey as emergency services rushed through the downpours to a crash on the M23, West Sussex.

       The washout in England also effected the South West and could spark further travel chaos with transport delays, flooding on the roads and power issues.

       Surrey Police urged drivers to travel carefully in the wet conditions after a car overturned on a flooded road in Farnborough last night.

       And the rain is set to continue in the west and north today with "wintry" weather over some northern hills.

       Forecasters have warned things will feel noticeably colder today with temperatures expected to drop as low as 4C in Newcastle and Manchester.

       The mercury is also set to plummet to 2C in parts of Scotland, with snow expected over northern hills along with hail and rain in lower areas.

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       It comes after Storm Aurore moved in from France, bringing up to 50mm of rain and 45mph winds in the worst affected areas.

       The Met Office issued a yellow rain warning yesterday covering most of southern England and lasting into Thursday.

       Essex Fire Service said they had received more than 120 calls up till 2.30am regarding flood-related incidents.

       Meanwhile Thameslink Railway warned of a landslip at Greenhithe Tunnel in London, blocking all lines.

       In Cornwall, four people had to be rescued from a car trapped in flood water around 8pm last night.

       Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said the driver and three passengers managed to get on to the roof of the car and were rescued using throw lines.

       Devon County Council's Highways Control has also been dealing with 80 incidents, with fallen trees among the chaos.

       FLOOD WARNING

       The Met Office issued yellow rain warnings for the southern counties and Channel Islands until 3am on Thursday, but said the most severe impact of the storm would be over northern France.

       It added the unsettled weather was likely to continue for the rest of the week, with showers and breezy conditions across western Scotland and some areas of central and northern England and Wales on Friday.

       Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell, said: "We've got yellow rain warnings in place which will last for the rest of Wednesday until 3am on Thursday, covering the southern counties and the Channel Islands.

       "Heavy and persistent rainfall will fall in the areas covered by the warning, mostly between 15-25mm, but some places will see potentially 30mm or higher along with some rumblings of thunder.

       "There's also likely to be very strong winds, typically around 45mph on the coasts, reaching 70mph in the Channel Islands.

       "This may cause some disruption to commuters tomorrow morning, as some places will see some flooding- while the impact of thunder could cause power cuts."

       It comes after high winds sent trees sent crashing to the ground and brick walls destroyed in Cheshire, yesterday.

       Shocking footage revealed the trail of destruction in Widnes after it was walloped by a 30-second 'twister' with roof tiles, garden furniture and wheelie bins strewn across residential streets.

       Forecasters predict there to be more persistent rain over the weekend, with the heaviest rain expected in western Scotland, where 40-60mm could fall in 24 hours.

       Northern Ireland, northern England and Wales, could see up to 20mm of rain, while southern and central areas will see light rain.

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       Commuters were forced to hop over puddles as they made their way to work in the soggy conditions Credit: LNP 23

       A black Citroen fell foul of the heavy rain overnight Credit: Surrey Police/Triangle News 23

       A van splashes through flood water near Lingfield in Surrey Credit: LNP 23

       Others made their way through flood water nearby Credit: LNP 23

       An articulated lorry was seen half submerged in Bristol Harbourside this morning Credit: SWNS 23

       Rainwater flooded fields in Lingfield, Surrey, last night Credit: LNP 23

       A cyclist rides through surface water in Euston, London Credit: LNP 23

       A car seen tyre-deep in the floodwater in Southend, Essex Credit: Stephen Huntley/HVC 23

       The A127 was closed after severe flooding and business's along Southend sea front Credit: Stephen Huntley/HVC 23

       A police car wades through inches of water after a crash on the M23 Credit: UkNewsinPictures 23

       There has been major flooding in West Sussex Credit: eddie mitchell 23

       A petrol station was underwater in Essex Credit: Stephen Huntley/HVC 23

       Emergency services were called to flooding in Little Hampton, West Sussex, overnight Credit: eddie mitchell 23

       Emergency services worked through the rain on the M23 southbound last night Credit: UkNewsinPictures 23

       Vehicles are seen passing through flooded road in South East London Credit: Rex 23

       Services worked through the soaking conditions following a crash Credit: UkNewsinPictures

       Scotland's first snow of the season falls in Highlands