UK weather news: Warning extended until Saturday as heavy rain to batter Britain
Met Office warns flooding is possible as more travel disruption likely
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Met Office has extended a yellow weather warning for rain until Saturday as further downpours are expected across eastern Scotland.
The heavy rain falling on ground already saturated from Storm Babet’s impact last week may cause flooding and travel disruption, the weather service said.
At least 20 to 30 mm of rainfall will accumulate from Thursday to Saturday, with 50 to 70 mm likely to fall over higher ground and “a lower probability of 80-100 mm in a few locations”.
There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.
It comes after an amber alert was issued for London and South East England today following torrential rain overnight and into the morning.
The amber alert was issued from 6.13am to 8am on Wednesday for parts of Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.
Red weather warnings in the UK: Recent examples
While only amber and yellow warnings have so far been issues for this week’s heavy downpours, a “danger to life” red warning was issued last week when Storm Babet hit our shores.
Here are some other recent examples of the Met Office issuing a rare red weather warning:
Red weather warnings in the UK: Recent examples
Red warnings have been issued for extreme heat, wind and rain.
The latest weather warnings come only days after Storm Babet caused devastation across parts of the UK.
At least seven people are now thought to have died in incidents related to Storm Babet, while hundreds were forced to flee their homes in Scotland and north-east England.
About 1,250 properties in England flooded during the storm, according to the Environment Agency.
A total of 13 areas broke their daily rainfall records for October last week, including sites in Suffolk, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Wiltshire, Kincardineshire, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Northumberland, Derbyshire and Humberside, the Met Office said.
What areas does the amber warning cover?
Here are the areas that are affected by the amber warning, according to the Met Office:
London & South East England
- Hampshire
- Isle of Wight
- Portsmouth
- Southampton
What are the weather warnings today?
There are three weather warnings issued for today.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning for fog which covers a wide expanse of the north; a yellow warning for rain for south and east England and Wales; and an amber warning for the south coast of England.
Amber warning issued across south coast of England today
An amber weather warning had been issued across the south coast of England from 8am today.
Flooding and disruption is expected, the Met Office said.
Met Office warns heavy rain could cause travel delays
Disruption to transport across the south of England and Wales is expected this morning after heavy rain overnight.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain from 6pm on Tuesday until 10am on Wednesday, as well as one for fog further north.
Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said the wet weather meant there was “potential for travel delays and poor driving conditions” on Wednesday morning.
He added: “There could be a lot of spray on the roads and some difficult driving conditions as we start Wednesday morning. There could be some delays to public transport as well.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments