UK weather live: Tornado alert tonight as heavy rain and thunderstorms strike amid three Met Office warnings
The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation has forecast much of the south-east to see lightning and winds up to 50mph
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Warnings of flooding and even brief tornadoes have been issued for parts of the UK as heavy rain begins to lash down on many regions of the country.
The Met Office has in place three separate yellow rain warnings for the UK: one of the Midlands and the south of England, a second for the north-east and a third for the eastern side of Northern Ireland.
A more severe amber alert is also active for a central region of England - including Birmingham, Worcester, Leicester and Peterborough - with rain likely to cause flooding and disruption this evening and Friday morning.
The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation has also forecast much of the south-east will see lightning, winds up to 50mph and even “isolated brief tornadoes”. This includes much of East Anglia, the south-east Midlands and central southern England.
A total of 30 flood warnings have been issued by the Environment Agency across England, meaning flooding is expected, and 85 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.
It follows heavy rain and flash flooding in some parts of the country on Monday and Tuesday. In Northamptonshire, a holiday park was evacuated due to flooding on Tuesday night.
Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “We are expecting an area of slow-moving showers and thunderstorms to develop this afternoon and evening across parts of the Midlands. The rain will fall onto already saturated ground, potentially affecting communities still recovering from recent flooding.”
Amber warning now in place across Midlands
Heavy rain is likely to cause flooding and transport disruption this evening until 6am.
The Met Office said: “Some places, especially across central and eastern parts of the warning area, are likely to receive 30-40mm in three hours or less, and perhaps 50-60mm or more in around six hours.
“This rain will fall onto already saturated ground and affect communities recovering from recent flooding. Travel disruption and further flooding is likely, with rivers continuing to rise after the rain clears.”
Flash flooding strikes UK with nearly 40 warnings in place
Parts of Britain have been struck by more flash floods as the Met Office warns of more heavy rain.
The forecaster has issued an amber warning for areas of the Midlands and south of the country, which came into force at 6pm on Thursday and will last for 12 hours.
Yellow rain warnings had already been in place for large parts of England and Wales and western parts of Northern Ireland.
As of 6.17pm, the Environment Agency had 38 flood warnings in place across England, meaning flooding is expected, and 105 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.
Warning to road users
As roads look likely to be impacted by heavy rain tonight, the Environment Agency is reminding peopel to take care when driving through flood water.
Kate Marks, flood duty manager, said “We urge people to plan their journeys carefully, follow the advice of local emergency services on the roads and not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”
Pictures: People stranded in floods and heavy rain
Environment Agency teams 'on the ground’
With heavy rainfall forecast across many areas of the UK, including some areas already under water, the Environment Agency (EA) has been busy working with impacted communities.
As of 4pm, there were 30 flood warnings in place, where flooding is likely, plus 84 flood alerts, where flooding could happen.
Kate Marks, flood duty manager at the EA, said: “Heavy rainfall across the country means that significant river and surface water flooding impacts are possible in parts of central England today and into Friday. Minor river flooding impacts are also possible in parts of north-east England today and Friday.
“Environment Agency teams continue to be out on the ground, supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.
“People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on X for the latest flood updates.”
Weather warnings mapped
Here’s a graphic showing the weather warnings in place and the amount of rain expected in each region
The amber warning is in place for many areas of the country badly impacted by rain earlier this week.
This includes St Ives in Cambridgeshire, where areas are still under water.
Met Office chief meteorologist, Neil Armstrong, said: “he rain will fall onto already saturated ground, potentially affecting communities still recovering from recent flooding.”
What to expect in areas facing yellow and amber warning
As many parts of the country face a blustery and wet night with the chance of disruptions, the Met Office has issued a list of what people should expect under each of the warnings.
For a yellow weather warning:
- There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
- There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
- Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services
- Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- There is a small chance that some communities will become cut off by flooded roads
- There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life
For a amber weather warning:
- Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
- A good chance some communities will be cut off by flooded roads
- Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely
- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely
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