The Met Office has extended the coverage of today’s weather warning as a large portion of the country prepares for heavy rainfall. A yellow rain warning, effective from 9 am to 10 pm, now includes 47 areas, encompassing parts of East England and the Midlands, in addition to previously mentioned regions in South East and South West England. According to the Met Office, rain showers will move northeastward across England and Wales, intensifying at times before gradually easing off during the evening and night.
Potential impacts of the heavy rain include possible flooding in homes and businesses, disruptions to bus and train services, and extended travel times due to wet conditions on roads. Individuals are advised to assess the flood risk to their properties, prepare a flood plan, and assemble an emergency flood kit. Additionally, the Met Office recommends preparing for potential power outages by gathering essentials like torches and a mobile phone power pack.
Rainfall amounts of 20mm to 30mm are anticipated across widespread areas, with isolated regions, especially in southern England, likely to experience accumulations of up to 50mm. The Met Office warns that heavy rain on already saturated ground may lead to surface water flooding on Thursday. Later in the day, strong winds are forecasted to affect parts of southern and southeast England, with gusts of up to 50mph possible along exposed coastlines.
The rain warning is presently the sole advisory from the Met Office for today. The forecast predicts periods of heavy rain along with strong winds moving northward and eastward across central, southern, and eastern England, as well as eastern Wales. Elsewhere, expect sunshine and scattered showers. Rain and strong winds are expected to clear from England early in the evening, leaving clear skies across the UK with some showers in the western regions.
Looking ahead to Friday, the outlook includes early frost and fog dissipating to reveal sunshine and showers. Showers are likely to be most intense and frequent in the west and southwest, with the potential for hail and thunder. Breezy conditions, particularly in the southwest, are expected.