The Met Office has raised an amber weather warning as Storm Claudia prepares to drench large parts of the UK this weekend, bringing potentially dangerous flooding conditions and disruptive winds.
Immediate Threats and Warnings
Forecasters have issued an amber alert for rain effective from noon until midnight on Friday, covering significant portions of Wales, the Midlands, South West, South East and Eastern England. The storm is expected to deliver torrential downpours with some areas potentially receiving up to 80mm of rainfall.
Matthew Lehnert, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, warned: "Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall to a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales. Some areas could see up to a month's worth of rain in just 24 hours."
Widespread Impact Across the Country
Alongside the amber warning, a separate yellow alert for rain covers much of England from Cheshire and North Yorkshire down to the south coast, active for 24 hours from 6am on Friday. Additional wind warnings predict gusts reaching 70mph in western coastal areas between noon and midnight.
The Met Office has highlighted several serious risks including:
- Danger to life from deep floodwater
- Power cuts affecting communities
- Significant travel disruption
- Potential damage to buildings and infrastructure
Travel Advice and Safety Precautions
The AA has issued strong guidance against travelling during what they describe as "hazardous weather" conditions. Their statement emphasised: "Safety comes first. Flood water can appear quickly, and even shallow water can be dangerous – never try to drive through it."
Unlike many named storms that directly cross the UK, Storm Claudia will maintain its position to the West, having been named by the Spanish meteorological service due to its earlier impact on the Canary Islands.
Meanwhile, northern regions will experience a contrasting weather pattern with colder conditions and overnight frosts expected from Friday through Sunday.
