UK weather: brief respite from wind and rain ahead, says Met Office

'Bright and breezy' day follows disruption of Storm Brendan, but wintry weather will return

Much of the UK is to enjoy a brief respite from the wind and rain brought by Storm Brendan before a return to wintery conditions on Thursday, the Met Office has said.

A 48-hour period of disruptive weather began on Monday as Storm Brendan hit Ireland, causing thousands of homes to lose power, before bringing winds in excess of 80mph to parts of Scotland and England.