UK weather: Fears ‘localised flooding’ and heavy rain could hit peak Christmas getaway period

Motorists advised to beware flash flooding and heavy rainfall when driving home for Christmas

The Met Office has warned of disruption to pre-Christmas travel as heavy rain, leading to flooding, has been forecast for the coming week.

Those expecting to make long journeys by road, particularly south of the M4 in England, were warned to expect difficult driving conditions with as much as 90mm of rain predicted by the end of the week.

Flash flooding and standing water were a risk on roads, as the current wet weather in Northern Ireland, southwest England and Wales was set to continue.

“There is quite a wide warning across the southern half of the UK today and tomorrow,” said Oli Claydon from the Met Office.

“That is due to a continued band of rain pushing through parts of the south. Certainly in areas of the south where those rain warnings are out, travelling could become pretty unpleasant over the next few days with significant spray on the roads.”

Although the total volume of rain expected in the coming days is not exceptionally large, it will accumulate with rainfall already experienced in recent days, Mr Claydon said.

“So even a little bit can cause impacts like localised flooding.”

There have also been warnings about strong winds, particularly in southwestern Scotland, Northern Ireland and the western coast of England and Wales.

In some parts nearer the coast, the gusts could be as strong as 70mph.

The unsettled conditions will continue through the weekend, with bands of rain coming in from the south and moving northwards.

But by Christmas Eve next week the weather is expected to become more settled. Fairer conditions will mean less precipitation and therefore very slim chances of a white Christmas.

“The likelihood of it getting more settled means it will likely be drier as well. We will probably only see snow in the far north and on higher ground,” Mr Claydon reported.

Temperatures could fall for a festive cold snap, even if there will be no rain.

“At the moment there are signs for a drier, quieter spell of weather just in time for the Christmas period, with the potential for colder temperatures making things feel a little more festive,” the Met Office’s chief meteorologist Paul Gunderson said.