Britons are being cautioned about heavy rainfall of up to 70mm and potential flooding in certain parts of the UK, prompting recommendations to assemble an ’emergency kit’.
Recent showers are adding to the already soaked ground due to the severe weather conditions, including Storm Goretti last week. The arrival of low-pressure systems is ushering in more unsettled weather, bringing rain and icy conditions as Arctic air collides with moisture moving southward.
A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for parts of southern England on Thursday, indicating a likelihood of further flooding. The warning is in effect from 9am until the end of the day, highlighting the risk of surface water flooding due to heavy rain on saturated ground.
Residents are advised to assess the flood risk to their properties and consider developing a flood plan along with an emergency flood kit. The Met Office forecasts rainfall of up to 70mm, cautioning that the exact path of the showers remains uncertain but the warning covers regions including London, the South East, South West, parts of Wales, and the West Midlands.
The warning details a deepening area of low pressure moving northeast across England and Wales on Thursday, with rain intensifying during the day before clearing to the north later. Rainfall accumulations of 20-40mm are expected widely, with isolated spots possibly receiving 40-70mm, particularly in southwest England, potentially leading to surface water flooding due to saturated ground.
Currently, the Environment Agency has issued three flood warnings for England, indicating expected flooding, along with 40 flood alerts signifying possible flooding scenarios.
In addition, a separate Met Office yellow warning for ice covers a significant portion of western and northern Scotland from 8pm on Tuesday to 10am on Wednesday. Icy patches are anticipated in areas where recent heavy snow has melted or after heavy rainfall.
Looking ahead, the Met Office’s forecast from Thursday to Saturday predicts continued rainfall throughout the week, with temperatures near average in the south and colder conditions in the north. There is a possibility of heavy rain and strong winds on Thursday night.