Britain Braces for Torrential Downpour with Month’s Worth of Rain in 24 Hours as Flood Warnings Loom
Britain is bracing for extreme weather as forecasts predict nearly a month’s worth of rain to fall within 24 hours. This weather system is expected to hit the UK on Monday, leading to numerous flood alerts across various regions.
Weather Warnings Across the UK
South Wales will be at the epicenter of the severe weather, with an amber alert issued until 9 PM. This alert warns of potential “danger to life” due to “fast-flowing or deep floodwater.”
Regions Affected by Flood Alerts
- Amber alert in South Wales
- Yellow rain warnings in:
- South-west England
- North-west England
- Central Wales
- Northern Wales
- Warnings in South-west Scotland until midnight
Forecasters predict that areas of high ground in Wales may experience up to 120mm of rainfall. In addition, other parts of the country could see between 20mm and 80mm of rain.
Expected Rainfall Quantities
- South Wales: 100-120mm on high ground
- Amber warning areas: 60-80mm
- Lower elevation areas: 20-40mm
- England and Wales: 143% above normal rainfall
The Met Office’s chief forecaster, Rebekah Hicks, emphasized that such heavy rainfall can lead to significant disruptions, particularly since the ground is already saturated.
Potential Impacts of the Severe Weather
Previous rain levels in Wales have reached around 240mm this month, exceeding the average for November, which is typically 162mm. The weather poses risks such as:
- Flooding of homes and businesses
- Disruptions to public transport
- Increased chances of landslides
Natural Resources Wales has issued 38 alerts in anticipation of flooding risks. Additionally, the Environment Agency has reported five flood warnings and 44 alerts throughout the region.
Advice for Residents
Residents in the affected areas are advised to prepare for possible flooding. They should aim to move to higher ground if faced with rising waters.
With strong winds accompanying the rain, conditions are expected to worsen, particularly along coastal and highland areas.
The Met Office warns that Monday’s rainfall could be a significant weather event, highlighting the need for vigilance and preparedness.
