A flood warning has been issued as the Met Office issues an Amber alert for ‘big thunderstorms’ set to hit a large part of the UK. The unsettled weather continues to cause concern, with a yellow rain warning in place for many parts of Wales, and an amber warning just across the border in the Midlands. The warning indicates heavy rain is expected to affect multiple areas of England and Wales throughout Monday, with uncertainties regarding the specific locations to be most impacted. However, regions in the Midlands, northeast England, and east Wales are likely to experience the heaviest rainfalls, with potential accumulations of 30-50mm within a short timeframe, and some areas seeing 80-100mm over 12 to 24 hours.
The warning spans the entire day on Monday, with the Amber warning specifically in place from 5am to 9pm, highlighting the expectation of heavy rain across central and southern England before shifting north and west, possibly stalling and remaining for several hours. Met Office chief meteorologist, Frank Saunders, emphasised the likelihood of impactful rain following a wet weekend. The forecast indicates a continuation of unsettled weather, with potential disruptions and localised flooding posing risks to affected areas.
BBC weather presenter Chris Fawkes warns of significant flash flooding due to incoming big thunderstorms, with some regions experiencing exceptionally high rainfall levels. Looking ahead, the weather is projected to remain unsettled, with heavy showers expected in Scotland and the return of rainy conditions through Wednesday and Thursday as frontal systems move in from the Atlantic. Wales is bracing for a cloudy and wet Monday, with heavy and persistent rain anticipated, particularly in the southeast, though brighter spells may develop in the northwest later in the day. Tuesday is expected to be more settled with scattered showers and increasing sunny spells, while Wednesday to Friday is predicted to bring wet and windy conditions followed by sunshine and showers.
As the Met Office continues to monitor the evolving weather patterns and the potential impacts of the prominent thunderstorms across the UK, residents are advised to stay updated on the changing weather conditions and prepare for possible disruptions in the coming days. Stay informed and stay safe as the weather continues to bring challenges nationwide.