A raincoat is necessary across the UK today as a large front moves through bringing persistent rain.

Thursday morning saw the front pass over Ireland, mostly in the early hours, reaching the UK in time for the commute.

It is slow moving as it heads east, ensuring a consistent supply of rain and drizzle.

By the afternoon, the front heads into the North Sea but areas of rainfall break away and hang over western parts of the UK.

This maintains a generally gloomy feeling to the day into the evening where heavier rain returns to the west of Ireland too.