The UK is braced for a severe bout of weather as Storm Claudia is set to unleash torrential downpours across a significant portion of the country. The Met Office has issued a series of serious warnings, with an amber warning for persistent and heavy rain taking centre stage.
When and Where the Storm Will Hit
The most severe alert comes into force from noon on Friday and remains in place until the end of the day. It covers a large area, including parts of Wales, the Midlands, the South West, the South East, and the east of England. A separate yellow warning for rain blankets much of England from Cheshire and North Yorkshire down to the south coast, active for a 24-hour period from 6am on Friday.
Rainfall totals are forecast to be exceptionally high. In England, some locations could see up to 80mm of rain, while parts of Wales, particularly on higher ground, may be deluged by a staggering 100-150mm. More widely across the Welsh warning area, 50-75mm is expected. Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert stated that some areas could see a month's worth of rain in just 24 hours.
Potential Impacts and Hazards
The Met Office has issued stark advice about the potential consequences. The heavy rain, falling on already saturated ground, significantly increases the risk of flooding. The situation could be worsened by strong easterly winds and the potential for thunderstorms later on Friday.
Authorities are warning the public to prepare for several hazards, including:
- Power cuts and damage to buildings.
- Significant travel disruption on roads and railways.
- Dangerous driving conditions due to surface water flooding.
The AA has strongly advised against travelling in the hazardous weather, cautioning that flood water can appear quickly and even shallow water can be dangerous to drive through.
Official Response and Further Outlook
Floods minister Emma Hardy acknowledged public concern, confirming she is in regular contact with the Environment Agency. Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the agency, said significant surface water flooding is probable across parts of central England on Friday, with river flooding impacts possible into Saturday.
Unlike many storms that cross the UK, Storm Claudia, which was named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency, is not expected to directly move over the country. Instead, it will maintain its position to the west, channelling moisture and rain towards the UK. Meanwhile, northern parts of the country are expected to turn colder with overnight frost from Friday to Sunday.
