The Met Office has escalated its weather warnings for the United Kingdom, advising the public to prepare for a period of significant disruption as heavy rain and strong winds are forecast to sweep across the country this weekend.
Widespread Warnings and Potential Hazards
New alerts have been activated following a week of unsettled conditions, with heavy rain expected to batter southern parts of the country on Friday. A 24-hour yellow warning for rain comes into force at 6am on Friday, covering a vast swathe of the UK including the East Midlands, the East of England, London, the Southeast, Northwest England, Southwest England, Wales, the West Midlands, and Yorkshire & Humber.
Met Office chief forecaster, Neil Armstrong, stated that the persistent low pressure is to blame. "There are increased sensitivities now compared to earlier in the autumn due to recent heavy rainfall events," Armstrong cautioned. "We are keeping a close eye on already saturated ground as this could lead to some flooding. Difficult travelling conditions are also expected, with delays and the increased possibility of accidents."
Expected Rainfall and Flooding Risks
The forecast predicts substantial rainfall totals, with around 30-50mm falling widely and some areas likely to see 60-80mm. This follows earlier warnings in the week; on Wednesday, Wales was under a rain warning from 6am until midnight, while southwest England faced alerts from midday until 6pm.
The Environment Agency has echoed the Met Office's concerns. Stefan Laeger, a flood manager, highlighted the immediate risks. "Minor surface water flooding is probable on Wednesday," he said, urging caution for motorists. "We urge people not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car."
As the week progresses, colder air will also introduce a new element. Below-freezing overnight temperatures in Scotland later this week could bring snow to higher ground, adding to the travel woes.
Your Weather Outlook for the Coming Days
Here is the detailed UK weather forecast for the rest of the week:
Today (Wednesday): Rain in the south will gradually spread northwards into central areas. Another band of rain lingers across northern Scotland. It will be largely dry with bright spells elsewhere, and windy in the north and southwest.
Tonight: Locally heavy rain continues to edge north, reaching Northern Ireland and northern England by morning. It will be mild for most, but chillier across northern Scotland.
Thursday: Rain in the north remains in place, easing through the day. Drier with some bright spells elsewhere. Further rain and strengthening winds will arrive in the south later.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday: The weather is set to turn colder in the north with overnight frosts. Further spells of rain are expected further south, especially on Friday. Strong easterly winds on Friday will become northerly through the weekend.
