Met Office ‘hazard to life’ warning as 32 areas brace for floods – full checklist
The Met Office has issued a ‘danger to life’ warning, with 32 areas facing flooding due to heavy rain and strong winds – the new alert runs from 6pm on Monday to 6pm on Tuesday
The Met Office has issued a ‘danger to life’ weather warning, with Brits warned about travel chaos due to heavy downpours and flooding across 32 areas. The fresh alert is in force from 6pm on Monday until 6pm on Tuesday, as the forecaster warned: “Heavy rain may bring some flooding and travel disruption in places on Monday night into Tuesday.”
Low pressure systems are sweeping in from the west, delivering heavy rainfall alongside bitter conditions as these weather patterns clash with plunging Arctic air, reports the Mirror.
Following a wet Monday, focus may shift to a potentially intense low pressure area developing to the southwest of Britain. Deputy Chief Meteorologist Steven Keates said: “A deepening area of low pressure will approach the UK from the southwest later on Monday, bringing with it heavy rain and strong winds, which are likely to affect the UK between late Monday and early Wednesday.
“At present, the exact track, depth, and timings of this low are uncertain, which makes it harder to determine where will be most impacted by strong winds and/or heavy rain.
“This system has the potential to cause disruption, and severe weather warnings are likely to be issued over the weekend as details become clearer. We therefore urge people to keep up-to-date with the latest Met Office forecast.”
Regions and local authorities affected include London and South East England, South West England and Wales.
West Midlands It’s also shaping up to be a soggy weekend, with numerous downpours expected across the nation today. The Met Office explains: “Heavy rain from overnight lingers into Saturday, particularly across northeastern parts of Scotland. Elsewhere, many places will see blustery showers and a brisk south to southwesterly wind.
“Bands of showers will be most persistent across south Wales and southwest England, and some of these will be heavy, with the odd rumble of thunder. The ground in some of these areas is already saturated, so any extra heavy downpours will be far from welcome, potentially leading to tricky travel conditions and localised surface water issues.
“The best chance of any dry weather will be across parts of Northern Ireland, northeast England and southeast Scotland. Temperatures will be near normal to rather mild, tempered by brisk winds in the south.
“As Saturday draws to a close, attention turn to the next weather system gathering to the west. This system is set to bring almost a repeat performance, with another weather front extending across the country from west to east.”
As for Sunday, expect a mix of rain and drier spells. “Sunday begins on an unsettled note for many, with a band of rain arching its way northeastward and spreading steadily across most of the UK,” says the national weather agency.
“This rain will be persistent for a time, especially in the north, but will clear to leave a drier end to the day across much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
Regions affected:
- Hampshire
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
- Bristol
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- Isles of Scilly
- North Somerset
- Plymouth
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Torbay
- Wiltshire
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Herefordshire
