The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for heavy, possibly thundery rain that it said may cause flooding and power cuts across England and Wales, covering the period from Saturday night to Sunday evening1. The warning followed earlier heavy rain that hit parts of southern England and Wales on Thursday and Friday1.
Heavy showers were expected across southern and central England up to South Yorkshire and all southern Welsh counties1. Rainfall amounts were forecast to vary: some locations were expected to see 40 to 60mm, while other areas, particularly in the southern half of the warning area, were potentially set for up to 80 to 100mm1. The Met Office said there was a "small chance" that some buildings could be damaged, some communities could become cut off by flooded roads, and that fast-flowing or deep floodwater may pose a danger to life1. Where flooding occurred, there was a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services over the weekend, the Met Office said1.
On flood warnings already in place, one flood warning remained at Ilston in south Wales, with two flood alerts also issued in the region as of Saturday morning1. The Environment Agency still had two flood alerts issued in south-west England, including in populated areas around the Lower Avon river, and said much of southern and central England was at low risk of flooding impacting on properties and causing travel disruption1.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris described a more complex than usual meteorological pattern involving multiple corridors of heavy, locally thundery rain revolving around a slow-moving area of low pressure1.
"We are keeping warnings under review, and will look to issue them over the weekend as confidence increases, so please keep up to date with our latest forecasts and warnings."
| Area | Position as of Saturday morning |
|---|---|
| Ilston, south Wales | One flood warning in place |
| South Wales | Two flood alerts issued |
| South-west England, including around the Lower Avon river | Two flood alerts issued by the Environment Agency |
| Much of southern and central England | Low risk of flooding impacting on properties and causing travel disruption, according to the Environment Agency |
Why it matters for households
The warning covers southern and central England up to South Yorkshire and all southern Welsh counties, from Saturday night to Sunday evening1. Households in those areas were told by the Met Office to expect possible flooding and power cuts, with a small chance of building damage and of communities being cut off by flooded roads1. Travel disruption was possible, with a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services where flooding occurred1. Flood warnings and alerts were already in place in Ilston and elsewhere in south Wales and in south-west England around the Lower Avon river as of Saturday morning1. The Met Office advised people to keep up to date with its latest forecasts and warnings1. Households can check current warnings for Wales through Natural Resources Wales warnings and risk maps and find telephone numbers for flood information lines in Floodline numbers for England, Scotland and Wales; the flooding hub covers wider household preparation for floods.
What happens next
The Met Office said warnings were being kept under review and that it would look to issue them over the weekend as confidence increased1. No further dated steps have been reported.
