The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain across multiple regions of the UK, urging residents to prepare emergency flood kits. The warnings, covering parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northern England, come as snow and ice alerts remain in place.
The first warning covers Northern Ireland from 9pm Saturday to 9pm Sunday, affecting County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry, and County Tyrone. Rainfall of 30mm is expected widely, with up to 60mm over higher ground, and melting snow may increase flooding risks.
A second warning for southern Scotland, including Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, and South Lanarkshire, runs from 2am Sunday to midnight. Up to 90mm of rain could fall over higher ground, with a small chance of communities being cut off by flooding.
A third warning for northern Scotland, covering Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Highland, Argyll and Bute, and West Dunbartonshire, is in effect from 2am Sunday until 10am Monday. Rainfall of 60mm is expected widely, with up to 110mm over parts of Skye, Lochaber, Argyll and the Trossachs. Thawing snow adds to the flood risk.
The Met Office advises residents to prepare a flood plan and emergency kit, including torches, batteries, and a mobile phone power pack. Drivers should check road conditions and amend travel plans if necessary. David Morgan, SEPA Flood Duty Manager, warned that rising temperatures and thawing snow from Sunday will increase flood risk, potentially affecting low-lying land, roads, and properties.
