The Met Office has issued a series of severe weather warnings, cautioning that some communities could be cut off as a deluge of heavy rain and powerful winds sweeps across parts of the UK. The forecaster warns of significant travel disruption, possible power outages, and a danger to life from fast-flowing floodwater.
Widespread Warnings for Wind and Rain
A yellow warning for strong winds is in force for a vast area stretching from Hampshire to Cornwall and up to north Wales. This alert is active from 10pm on Monday until 4pm on Tuesday. Concurrently, a yellow warning for heavy rain covers the same regions, running from 6pm Monday until 6pm Tuesday.
Further warnings are in place elsewhere. Another rain warning affects north-west England from midnight on Tuesday until 3pm. Meanwhile, north-west Scotland is under a wind warning from 3pm Tuesday until 10am on Wednesday. These follow a yellow warning for heavy rain in Northern Ireland on Sunday.
Potential for Severe Disruption and Danger
The Met Office has outlined several serious risks associated with the incoming weather system. Transport networks are expected to be heavily impacted, with delays likely for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges. Coastal areas will be particularly treacherous due to spray and large waves.
Power cuts are possible, and homes and businesses face the threat of flooding. The forecaster has issued a stark warning, stating: “Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life.” On Sunday, twelve flood warnings were already active across England.
Unsettled Conditions Set to Continue
The severe weather is being driven by a deepening area of low pressure approaching from the south-west later on Monday. Steven Keates, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, explained the uncertainty: “At present, the exact track, depth, and timings of this low are uncertain, which makes it harder to determine where will be most impacted by strong winds and/or heavy rain.”
He confirmed the system has the potential to cause disruption and that further warnings are likely. The forecast for the rest of December remains unsettled, with more periods of low pressure predicted. However, meteorologists said it is still too early to provide an accurate forecast for the Christmas period.
The reality of the stormy conditions was felt recently, with gusts of up to 40mph hitting parts of the south coast overnight into Saturday. In Seaford, East Sussex, firefighters were called to reports of a garage roof and door being detached by the high winds.
