The Met Office has escalated its weather warnings, issuing a severe yellow alert for heavy and persistent rainfall set to drench parts of the UK from Wednesday onwards. Southern Scotland and north west England are squarely in the crosshairs of this impending deluge.
Forecasters are predicting a staggering 100mm (almost 4 inches) of rain to fall in some areas over a 24-hour period, a volume that significantly raises the risk of localised flooding and severe travel disruption. The warning is currently active from 6 PM on Wednesday until 6 PM on Thursday.
Areas Most at Risk
The regions under the yellow warning include:
- Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian, and Borders in Scotland.
- Cumbria and Lancashire in north west England.
A Met Office spokesperson emphasised the potential hazards, stating: "Spray and flooding on roads will make journey times longer, and some communities may become cut off by flooded roads. There is also a chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses."
Broader UK Forecast
While the south will see a brief respite with drier and brighter conditions on Wednesday, it will be short-lived. The rest of the week is expected to remain unsettled across the nation, with further spells of rain and strong winds likely, especially in the north and west.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to check the latest weather updates and travel information before setting out on journeys. The public should remain vigilant for potential flood warnings from the Environment Agency and its Scottish equivalent.
