The UK is preparing for winds reaching up to 60mph (96.56 km/h), with significant travel disruption expected, just days after heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding. The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for much of southern England and South Wales, effective from 4pm Sunday to 9am Monday.
The warning indicates that heavy rain could lead to further flooding and travel delays. While London narrowly avoids the official warning, the city is still forecast to experience heavy rain on Monday.
In the warning areas, 20-30 mm of rain may fall within 9–12 hours, with 50-80 mm possible in higher regions. Becky Mitchell, a meteorologist from the Met Office, noted that the recent weather has already left rivers swollen and the ground saturated, increasing the risk of flooding.
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has issued 48 flood warnings and 90 flood alerts across England, signalling widespread risk of flooding.
Cloudier in the far northwest this afternoon with showery rain ☔
Sunshine and showers in Northern Ireland and northwest England 🌦️
Elsewhere, largely dry with sunny spells and lighter winds 🌤️ pic.twitter.com/1twd7DnzsV
— Met Office (@metoffice) September 28, 2024
Winds Warning and More Flooding Threats
A yellow wind warning is also in place for south-west England and Wales from 9am on Sunday, with gusts between 50-60mph expected. The Met Office warns of large waves, falling trees, travel disruptions, and power outages.
There could be additional warnings issued for Monday, but the weather is expected to improve later in the week. Temperatures will remain below average this weekend, with the UK experiencing 3-4 °C cooler conditions than usual and even frost in some regions.
Recent Flooding and Travel Disruptions
Earlier this week, heavy rainfall across England caused significant flooding, with some areas receiving over 250% of their average September rainfall.
Around 650 properties were flooded in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and surrounding areas. However, 8,200 properties were reportedly protected from flooding, according to the Environment Agency.
Flooding has also disrupted rail services, with the line between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton cancelled due to flooding and fallen trees.
The Marston Vale line in Bedfordshire, operating between Bedford and Bletchley, remains suspended until Monday due to standing water.
