Yellow Weather Warning as Heavy Rain Hits Southern UK
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning as heavy rain is set to hit southern parts of the UK. The weather warning, which covers most of southern England, including areas up to Stoke on Trent and Sheffield, as well as much of south and mid Wales, warns of potential flooding and disruption due to heavy and possibly thundery rain between 21:00 BST on Saturday and 18:00 BST on Sunday.
Given the recent wet weather across southern parts of the UK, there is a real risk of localised flash-flooding. “Given all the rain that has fallen recently across southern parts of the UK, this could result in some localised flash-flooding,” senior BBC meteorologist Nikki Berry noted. However, it is also possible that some areas within the warning zone may experience little to no rainfall at all.
This warning comes after significant rainfall in recent days, causing serious issues in parts of south Wales, where emergency rescues were needed on Saturday. A couple had to be rescued from their car due to flooded roads, and another person was saved from a flooded home in Bridgend. On Friday, Swansea’s Victoria Park recorded a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours, becoming the UK’s wettest place.
Heavy rainfall was not confined to Wales. Parts of south-east England also saw substantial amounts, with Goudhurst in Kent and Farnham in Surrey recording over half of their expected September rainfall in just 24 hours on Thursday and Friday. With a further warning for heavy rain covering southern and central England up to South Yorkshire and all of southern Wales, the Met Office expects this wet weather to continue spreading north and west.
The forecast indicates that heavy and thundery rain may become more persistent in the west on Sunday, while slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop further east. Forecasters warn that some locations within the warning area could see between 80 to 100mm of rain by the end of Sunday, with higher totals more likely in the southern half of the area.
The Environment Agency has issued 18 flood alerts in England, with areas such as Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire being particularly affected. In Wales, there are currently 10 flood alerts in place. While the weather is expected to be better in northern regions, with sunny and dry spells, conditions will gradually turn cloudier and cooler as we head into next week, with a generally unsettled outlook.
Dan Harris, Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, urged the public to stay updated with weather forecasts as conditions are complex and subject to change. “Reminiscent of this time last week, the forecast for later this weekend comes with larger uncertainties than average,” he said, citing the intricate meteorological pattern involving multiple bands of heavy rain revolving around a slow-moving area of low pressure.
As the UK braces for more wet weather, keeping an eye on the latest forecasts and being prepared for potential disruption will be crucial, particularly for those living in areas under the yellow warning.
Link to the Met Office weather warnings page for up-to-date information on the latest weather alerts.
