The Met Office has forecast "coastal gales and heavy, blustery rain" in the coming days, particularly affecting western regions, prompting authorities to urge Brits to prepare for potential flooding.
Bands of low pressure are set to sweep in from the Atlantic, bringing windy conditions especially along the west coast of the UK. This unsettled weather will include heavy bursts of rain, making parts of the UK vulnerable to flooding.
Areas at risk
Affected areas include sections of the North Sea coast, such as between Easington and Kilnsea in Humberside and between Staithes and Whitby in North Yorkshire. The Environment Agency says the concern for the Humberside section, near Hull, is greatest because high tides, strong winds, and large waves will combine from Monday morning.
Caravan parks there and elsewhere are especially vulnerable. Authorities have warned people in areas at risk of flooding to avoid walking, cycling, or driving through floodwater.
Recent rainfall and warnings
Sunday has been particularly wet across parts of western Scotland, Cumbria, Lancashire, and north Wales. These areas could face flooding if further rain, next due on Tuesday night into Wednesday, hits saturated ground.
The Environment Agency's main areas of concern currently centre on the east coast, though there is worry in Somerset and West Sussex. There are two separate alerts for parts of Norfolk, including along the coast between East Cley and Kelling Hard, including Salthouse.
High tides today may lead to flooding at Porlock Weir in Somerset, and flooding is possible at Shoreham Harbour in West Sussex. Regarding the latter, the Environment Agency says: "We are closely monitoring the situation. Avoid beaches and coastal promenades, which may be flooded."
Forecast and full list
While Tuesday will be balmy, the next band of significant rain is expected then. The Met Office says: "Turning warm and windy on Tuesday with coastal gales and heavy, blustery rain in the west." These showers will push west during the day and will be heaviest across Northern Ireland and western Scotland. There are no flood alerts or warnings currently in force in Scotland, according to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.
Authorities in Northern Ireland and Wales are not yet concerned enough to issue any flood alerts, but the new band of rain could become heavy on Wednesday, particularly across south Wales.
Below is the full list of warnings and alerts the Environment Agency currently has in place. Warnings are more severe than alerts, the authority says.
Full list of flood warnings and alerts
Flood warning: North Sea coast at Easington and Kilnsea, Humberside.
Flood alerts: Coast at North Morecambe Bay; North Sea coast at Withernsea, Humberside; North Sea coast from Staithes to Whitby including tidal River Esk, North Yorkshire; Somerset coast at Porlock Weir; The north Norfolk coast from East Cley to Kelling Hard, including Salthouse; The north Norfolk coast from Old Hunstanton, to and including Cley; Tidal areas of Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex; Tyne estuary, Tyne and Wear.
