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UK weather – live: Flood alerts still in place in aftermath of Hurricane Nigel as more rain forecast

Flood warnings remain in place amidst Hurricane Nigel chaos

Athena Stavrou,Lydia Patrick
Friday 22 September 2023 13:14 BST
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Met office announcement

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Britain was hit by torrential rain yesterday as the remnants of Hurricane Nigel and Lee continue to sweep across the UK and flood warnings remain in place.

The storm initially formed in the centre of the Atlantic on Saturday but quickly picked up power, developing into a Category 1 hurricane on Monday morning.

Forecasters say while Nigel has likely peaked as it moved across the Atlantic, strong winds are still expected. Flood warnings remain in place across Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire.

As the effects of Hurricane Nigel die down, Britons can mostly expect a brighter day today with some showers in the north west and south east.

Winds are expected in the north west.

The Met Office added: “In the afternoon, the scattered showers will become widespread across the UK, staying light. Patchy cloud and sunny spells. There is going to be a gentle to moderate westerly breeze.”

Pausing weather reporting

We are now pausing our reporting for the weather live blog, but here are some shocking scenes from the storms yesterday when roads turned into rivers.

London roads turn into rivers after ‘monsoon’ rain ahead of Hurricane Nigel

The London Fire Brigade tackled numerous calls as people reported flooding in the capital following heavy downpours

Lydia Patrick22 September 2023 13:14

Watch - Cars splash through submerged roads as heavy flooding hits London

Cars splash through submerged roads as heavy flooding hits London

Cars splashed through submerged roads as heavy flooding hit London on Wednesday, 20 September. Torrential rain has hit the UK as the remnants of Hurricane Nigel and Lee sweep across the country. The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain across parts of south-east England from 4pm on Wednesday until 3am on Thursday. London Fire Brigade received “numerous calls” over flooding with roads and properties affected on Wednesday. The wet weather continued into Thursday, with water pouring from the ceiling at a tube station in the capital.

Lydia Patrick22 September 2023 13:00

A warning to drivers as roads recover from downpour

In the aftermath of rains and thunderstorms, roads have taken a severe hit with heightened congestion – an expert says drivers should be cautious to help avoid any unwanted surprises.

A spokesperson for satnav app Waze said:

“Several regions across southern parts of the UK have been hit with severe flooding following the heavy downpours with further rainfall expected today. This is causing significant congestion for drivers in London, with our Waze map showing heavy traffic on the A304, Fulham Road in Fulham and speeds as low as 5mph. Bumper to bumper traffic can also be seen on the A219 in Fulham high street with reported speeds of 3mph.”

The Met Office has warned of ‘unsettled conditions’ in the coming days
The Met Office has warned of ‘unsettled conditions’ in the coming days (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
Lydia Patrick22 September 2023 12:00

A soggy Sunday ahead

After a needed respite from heavy rain, Britons can expect to need their umbrellas this Sunday.

The Met Office predicts heavy rain and wind, especially in the north west. Hold on to your hats!

Britons will need their brollies on Sunday
Britons will need their brollies on Sunday (PA)
Lydia Patrick22 September 2023 11:15

Mapped - Rainfall today

Friday brings a brighter day for most as a welcome relief from yesterday’s torrential rain.

A brighter morning for most after the country was battered by heavy rain yesterday
A brighter morning for most after the country was battered by heavy rain yesterday (The Met Office)
Rainfall predicted to move across from the north east to the south east
Rainfall predicted to move across from the north east to the south east (The Met Office)
Some rainfall in western wales and the north east of England predicted this evening
Some rainfall in western wales and the north east of England predicted this evening (The Met Office)
Lydia Patrick22 September 2023 10:30

Watch - Water pours from tube station ceiling as London hit by flash flooding

Water pours from tube station ceiling as London hit by flash flooding
Lydia Patrick22 September 2023 09:45

Flood alerts remain in parts of England as remnants of Hurricane Nigel bring more rain

A flood warning and several flood alerts are active in parts of the UK as the remnants of Hurricane Nigel lash Britain with rains and strong winds.

After heavy rainfall at the tail end of Hurricane Lee left streets across London flooded, a flood warning is active in Keswick Campsite and flood alerts are in seven places, including Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

The Met Office said in an update that 20 flood warnings expired and added that showers will ease in inland areas, with “sunshine and showers for most” on Friday.

The weather department also said it will remain “windy in the far north”.

“In the afternoon, the scattered showers will become widespread across the UK, staying light. Patchy cloud and sunny spells. There is going to be a gentle to moderate westerly breeze,” it said.

Read the full report here

Flood alerts remain in parts of England as Hurricane Nigel remnants bring more rain

‘Sunshine and showers for most’ in UK despite even as alerts are still active in some parts

Lydia Patrick22 September 2023 09:30

Today’s weather forecast

Most of the UK awoke this morning to clear skies, but some showers are to be expected in the northwest and southeast.

There will be sunny spells elsewhere and those in the northwest can expect wind.

Lydia Patrick22 September 2023 09:15

Good morning and welcome to our live weather blog

Welcome back to our live updates as flood alerts remain in place in parts of the UK. Strath Oykel, Scotland and Keswick, England are among the places warned that flooding is possible on Friday. It comes after the remnants of Hurricane Nigel swept the UK yesterday, causing travel chaos as trains were cancelled and delayed. We’ll be bringing you live updates throughout the day!

The latest predicted path of Hurricane Nigel
The latest predicted path of Hurricane Nigel (NHC)
Lydia Patrick22 September 2023 09:01

Hurricane Nigel transforming into “typical mid-latitude low pressure system”

The Met Office have said that Hurricane Nigel, which is currently bringing heavy rain and thunder to the UK, is transforming into a “typical mid-latitude low pressure system”.

In a tweet, the Met Office wrote: “Hurricane Nigel in the Atlantic is currently transforming into a typical mid-latitude low pressure system. The deep area of low pressure will head towards the UK over the weekend, but will remain offshore, out to the northwest”

Athena Stavrou21 September 2023 19:30

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