The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain and thunderstorms across parts of the UK, with up to half a month’s rainfall expected in some areas within 24 hours. The warnings cover Northern Ireland, Scotland, and parts of northern and south-west England until Sunday evening, with additional alerts coming into effect on Monday.
Eastern Northern Ireland is under a 24-hour warning from Sunday evening, where 50 to 75mm of rain could fall in 12 to 18 hours. Forecaster Simon Partridge said: “It looks like Northern Ireland is the place where we could see the most rainfall and certainly the most impactful rainfall.” The region’s July average is 89mm, meaning more than half that could fall in under a day.
Elsewhere, parts of England and Scotland may see 20 to 40mm in just two hours on Monday. The south and east of England are under a yellow thunderstorm warning from 3am to 9pm Monday, while the Midlands, northern England, and Scotland will be covered from 11am.
The Met Office warns that the heavy rain could cause flooding, travel disruption, and power cuts, with a small chance of danger to life from fast-flowing floodwater. More than 10 flood alerts remain active in Scotland.
The wet weather follows a third heatwave of the year, which left four areas of England in drought and led to hosepipe bans. Dry ground increases flood risk as it cannot absorb water quickly. Climate breakdown makes extreme rainfall more common and intense, as warmer air holds more moisture.
