The Met Office has issued a significant yellow weather warning for parts of London and southern England, forecasting that heavy and persistent rain on Thursday could trigger flooding and travel disruption.
Warning Details and Expected Impact
The alert is active from 9am until 10pm on Thursday. Forecasters warn that rain falling on already saturated ground is likely to lead to surface water flooding. The public should anticipate possible flooding of a few homes and businesses, while bus and train services will probably face delays and longer journey times. Road flooding is also a distinct possibility.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon explained the situation: "An area of low pressure is going to bring heavy and persistent rain to parts of southern England and will be accompanied by some gusty winds at times. There's the possibility of travel disruption for some and the possibility of flooding in a few places as well."
Rainfall Totals and Wider Context
Between 20 and 30mm of rain is expected widely across the warning zone, with a risk of 40 to 50mm in a few isolated spots. Accompanying winds could reach 35 to 45mph in parts of the south.
This warning follows a period of severe weather. Last week, Storm Goretti brought gusts nearing 100mph and a rare red wind warning to southwest England. In its wake, a major incident was declared in Kent and Sussex after approximately 30,000 properties lost water supplies due to burst pipes and power cuts.
Tragically, police confirmed a man in his 50s was found dead in a caravan in Helston, Cornwall, after a tree fell onto the vehicle following Storm Goretti.
Ongoing Risks and Government Support
Separately, the Environment Agency currently has three flood warnings (flooding expected) and 41 flood alerts (flooding possible) in place across England.
Meanwhile, the recent cold snap has activated the government's cold weather payments scheme. This means eligible pensioners and low-income households in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will automatically receive £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell emphasised the government's commitment to supporting vulnerable residents during winter.
Looking ahead, the forecast suggests a mix of showers and patchy cloud for Friday and the weekend, offering little respite for already waterlogged regions.
