Saturday's big freeze will feel like MINUS 5°C all day as Northamptonshire gets set for more wintry weather

There was plenty of fun but last Sunday's snow also caused problems on the Northamptonshire's roads. Photo: Getty Images

Northamptonshire is braced for more wintry weather with a four flood warnings in force and a Met Office alert for snow at the weekend.

Forecasters say there is a 90 per cent chance of more rain tonight filling rivers which are already threatening to burst their banks.

And then, with temperatures tumbling on Saturday and a fierce east wind making it feel like MINUS 5° all day, a yellow Met Office alert has been issued for up to three inches of snow falling on the western half of the county.

The Environment Agency has issued 26 flood warnings and alerts for Northamptonshire

The Environment Agency issued amber flood warnings for the River Nene plus four other stretches of water on the borders with Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

A further 21 flood alerts were in force by 1pm in and around Northamptonshire following heavy overnight rain.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Heavy rain has fallen overnight causing River Nene to rise.

"Rising river levels have already caused flooding of low-lying land and roads in the area, and we now expect properties in Cogenhoe Mill to be affected by flooding with a further band of rain expected later today.

The Met Office says more snow could be heading our way on Saturday

"Our staff are out in the area to check flood defences, clear blockages, and assist the emergency services and council."

Around three-to-four inches of snow fell in Northamptonshire last weekend, bringing a string of crashes on icy roads and disruption to Covid-19 test centres and the roll-out of coronavirus vaccines.

This Saturday's warning runs from 3am until 6pm and covers all of Northampton, South Northamptonshire and Daventry.

BBC forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker warned: "The weather is going to be very unsettled over the next few days.

"One front front has moved northwards and Thursday afternoon will feel more like spring. But there's another dose of rain to come across England with up to 50mm in some places.

"On Saturday, an low pressure close by is giving us a headache and we're not entirely sure how much rain sleet or snow there's going to be.

"But it is going to turn a bit colder with winds undercutting the weather front."

The only people happy at the moment will be drivers of 20-odd Northants Highways gritting lorries who are having a couple of well-earned nights off with temperatures staying well above freezing.