The heavy overnight rain has caused widespread flooding, school closures and transport disruption across the UK. Some parts of the country received more than a month's rain in 24 hours. Rivers have burst their banks, trains have been cancelled and roads have become impassable. With more rain forecast, communities are preparing for further consequences.
Heavy Rains and Flooding Hit the UK
Torrential rainfall across the country has led to widespread flooding, disrupting travel and daily life. Large swathes of England and Wales are still under a yellow weather warning, as the soggy ground is struggling to absorb further rainfall.
The Met Office reports that parts of southern and central England have received more than 100 millimetres of rain in the last two days, saturating waterlogged ground. As a result, roads and railways have been submerged, necessitating the closure of major transit routes.
The persistent rainfall has also swollen rivers and streams, prompting the Environment Agency to issue more than 60 flood alerts across England.
Schools Closed, Transport Disrupted Due to Floods
While the Met Office has issued several yellow rain warnings, the adverse weather conditions have led to the closure of schools and the cancellation of transport services.
Schools Forcibly Closed
Several schools in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have been closed due to dangerous road conditions and rising water levels, according to local councils. The dangerous conditions have made journeys treacherous for pupils and staff, leading to schools being closed as a safety precaution.
Rail and Ferry Services Affected
The severe weather also disrupted train services, with lines submerged between Oakengates and Wellington. The West Midlands Railway has introduced replacement services to mitigate the impact. Transport for Wales lines experienced similar problems.
Ferry services Red Funnel Ferries and WightLink suffered cancellations or delays of up to four hours due to high winds, while Cornwall's St Mawes Ferry suspended operations due to "adverse sea conditions and high winds".
Gradual Transition to Better Weather
Although heavy showers dominated the morning, drier conditions gradually spread to the western regions. As the band of rain moved south towards the coast, temperatures began to fall in its wake. The onset of rain brought some relief despite the colder temperatures, and the risk of frost threatened some areas during the night.
Weekend Forecast : Some respite on the horizon
Following a colder weather pattern at the start of the day on Friday, with pockets of mist and fog, the forecast for the weekend suggests a break in the week's rain. Saturday morning will be drier, offering a welcome breather from the week's disturbances.
However, whereas intermittent showers may persist in the western regions, accompanied by a risk of hail and thunder, the east may see glimpses of sunshine through the dissipating clouds. Overall, the weekend looks set to be drier.