The United Kingdom is braced for a severely wet start to the week, with dozens of flood alerts activated and a serious amber weather warning signalling potential danger to life in parts of Wales.
Severe Weather Warnings in Force
An amber rain warning is active for much of South Wales until midnight on Monday, 1st December 2025. The Met Office has stated this heavy rainfall could cause "fast flowing or deep floodwater" presenting a genuine danger to life. Forecasters predict up to 120mm of rain could fall on the highest ground in the warning zone, with 20-40mm expected widely and up to 80mm in hilly areas.
Additionally, yellow rain warnings cover parts of south-west and north-west England, as well as central and northern Wales, until 3am on Tuesday. A similar warning for south-west Scotland expired at 9pm on Monday.
Saturated Ground and Heightened Risks
The impact of Monday's deluge is expected to be significantly worse because the ground is already saturated from an exceptionally wet November. A Met Office meteorologist confirmed that Wales has already seen around 240mm of rain this month, far exceeding its November average of 162mm. Combined, England and Wales have experienced 143% of their normal rainfall for the period.
Senior operational meteorologist Marco Petagna emphasised the severity, noting: "It’s mostly parts of England and Wales – many areas have already seen well-above normal rainfall and another several inches to come." He described Monday as potentially "a significant event for many."
Widespread Disruption and Safety Advice
The amber warning highlights that the heavy rain is likely to bring disruption and probable flooding. Key risks include:
- Flooding of homes and businesses.
- Possible transport cancellations and road closures, potentially cutting off some communities.
- An increased chance of landslides on natural and man-made slopes, a risk confirmed by the British Geological Survey.
- Power cuts and strong south to south-westerly winds, with gales around coasts and high ground.
In response, Natural Resources Wales has issued 38 flood alerts, advising people to be prepared. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has posted five more severe flood warnings, where flooding is expected, and 44 alerts across England.
The Met Office has indicated that conditions are expected to improve from Tuesday, becoming brighter and more showery, with no further warnings currently anticipated beyond Monday's significant event.
