A huge 500-mile wall of rain is set to sweep across Britain within days, with 17 counties in the firing line, according to weather maps from WXCharts using ECMWF data.
The maps show an enormous band of rain stretching across much of the UK during the early hours of Wednesday, September 30. At 3am, the rain extends from the Scottish Highlands through northern England and Wales before reaching southern England.
Heavy Downpours and Widespread Coverage
The maps indicate some particularly intense downpours, with yellow, orange and red patches appearing within the huge band. Some of the heaviest bursts at this stage appear across parts of Wales and western Scotland.
By 6am, the band forms an almost unbroken line running from southern England through the Midlands and North West and into the Scottish Highlands. Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria are among the areas directly underneath the rain as it cuts through northwest England. The western fringes of North Yorkshire also appear to be caught by the sprawling weather front.
Affected Regions and Intensity
Farther south, rain covers parts of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, while much of Wales is also affected. Scotland appears set for a soaking too, with the band extending north through Dumfries and Galloway and western parts of the country.
The most intense colours on the charts indicate rainfall rates of several millimetres per hour in some locations at the times shown. The maps show the rain remaining widespread at 6am, although its intensity varies considerably along the length of the band.
Forecast and Wettest Counties
The Met Office's latest weather forecast for Wednesday until Friday says: "Heavy rain moves across the UK on Wednesday, bringing a fresher feel. Staying breezy with sunny spells and showers thereafter."
The 17 wettest counties on Wednesday, according to the maps, are: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Powys, Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, Argyll and Bute, and Highland.
