Britain is gearing up for yet another day of weather-related disruptions, as warnings of severe rain and flooding sweep across the country.
With some areas expected to see rainfall much heavier than usual, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather alert for parts of the East Midlands and East Anglia, remaining in place until 4 p.m. today.
The forecast predicts that certain areas could receive between 30-40mm of rain.
Widespread Disruptions Expected
The heavy rainfall poses significant risks for homes and businesses, with flooding likely in the regions affected by the alert.
The potential damage extends beyond flooding, as interruptions to power supplies are also expected.
Travel is set to be a major concern as well, with bus and train services likely facing delays due to the poor weather.
Drivers can expect longer travel times as spray and standing water on the roads make for treacherous driving conditions.
In response, the Environment Agency has issued 64 red flood alerts and 157 additional warnings across England.
Wales isn’t escaping the impact either, with five amber warnings in place for areas near the River Alyn and River Dee.
A Gloomy Start for Eastern England
Eastern parts of England, particularly East Anglia and the East Midlands, are starting the day under a blanket of low cloud, gusty winds, and persistent rain.
According to Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern, the conditions in these areas are dreary, with cool temperatures adding to the discomfort. London is also seeing a wet and windy morning.
By contrast, things are looking much brighter in the west.
North-west England, western Scotland, and Northern Ireland are enjoying clearer skies, with sunny spells breaking through and warmer temperatures ranging from 15°C to 17°C.
McGivern described it as a “real west-east contrast” in weather, where the west sees sunnier conditions while the east is left under cloud and rain.
Clear Skies on the Horizon—For Now
The weather may take a turn for the better soon, with more settled conditions expected mid-week.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are set to bring widespread fine weather across the UK.
However, this respite will be short-lived as more rain is forecast to arrive over the weekend.
Record-Breaking September Rainfall
Provisional data from the Met Office shows that September has been unusually wet, with some counties receiving over 250% of their average monthly rainfall.
In fact, six counties in England saw record rainfall levels this month.
Reading, in particular, experienced its most thunderous month in decades, with thunder recorded on seven separate days—marking the most for any September since 1969.
Dr. Stephen Burt, a meteorologist from the University of Reading, confirmed that this September had already surpassed the wettest one on record for the area.
With rainfall totaling 154mm, it has outstripped the previous record set in 1974.
For the year so far, Reading has seen 657mm of rain, exceeding the annual average, and making 2024 one of the wettest years in over a century.
Dramatic Flood Rescues
The heavy rain has already led to dangerous situations.
In Shropshire, a driver had a close call after becoming trapped in floodwaters at Boreton Brook.
Emergency services rescued the man from his almost-submerged vehicle, as rushing water filled the car.
He was taken to the hospital for precautionary checks, prompting a reminder from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service about the dangers of attempting to cross floodwaters.
Areas Under Warning
The areas currently under flood warnings include:
- East Midlands: Leicester, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland
- East of England: Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough, Suffolk
- London and South East England: Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire
TDPel Media
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
Telegram Airdrops: Crypto Giveaway
Join CryptoFiat Giveaway for free USDT giveaways and other opportunities!