The Met Office has triggered an urgent yellow weather warning, alerting the public to an extended period of severe rainfall set to batter parts of the UK.
When and Where the Deluge Will Strike
The official warning comes into force at 6am on Friday and remains active for a full 24 hours, until 6am on Saturday. The alert blankets a significant portion of England and Wales, though forecasters indicate that the North West, including areas like Greater Manchester, should avoid the most intense conditions.
The national weather service has cautioned that heavy and prolonged rain throughout Friday and into early Saturday is likely to cause flooding and significant travel disruption.
Detailed Forecast and Expected Impacts
Rain is expected to begin on Thursday evening, intensifying and becoming persistent throughout Friday before gradually easing on Saturday morning. The downpours will be accompanied by strong easterly winds, exacerbating the difficult conditions.
In terms of accumulation, the Met Office predicts 30-50 mm of rain will fall widely across the affected region. More concerningly, some locations could see between 60-80 mm, with a potential for over 100 mm on east-facing hills in southeast Wales.
This substantial rainfall, following a period of already wet weather, significantly increases the risk of both surface water flooding and river flooding. The areas most probable to experience impacts are southeast Wales, the Midlands, and parts of southern England.
Staying Safe During the Storm
Residents in the warning area are advised to prepare for potential travel delays, road closures due to flooding, and possible disruption to power supplies. Keeping up to date with the latest forecasts from the Met Office and local flood warnings from the Environment Agency is highly recommended during this severe weather event.
