Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms to Hit UK Over the Weekend

Strategic Insights -

The UK is bracing for severe weather warnings, as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain and thunderstorms covering large areas of England and Wales. Over a month's worth of rain could strike in just 12 hours, with the worst-affected areas expected to receive up to 100mm of rainfall in 12 hours. The warning, which is in place from Saturday morning until 11.59pm on Monday, also includes a risk of flooding, power cuts, and travel disruption.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain and thunderstorms covering large areas of England and Wales, effective from Saturday morning until 11.59pm on Monday.
  • The worst-affected areas could see as much as 100mm of rainfall in 12 hours, with up to 80mm expected in some areas.
  • The weather warning covers all of Wales, southwest England, and large parts of the Midlands and southern England.
  • Train delays are possible in the worst-affected areas, and businesses and homes may be flooded, communities may be cut off by flooding, and power cuts may affect businesses.
  • Two flood warnings and 25 flood alerts are in place, mostly in the South West, Norfolk, and the Thames and Wye estuaries.
  • Frequent lightning is expected to occur in the affected areas, particularly going into Saturday afternoon and evening in areas of the Midlands, western England, and east Wales.
  • The Met Office warns that scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to spread northwestwards from southern England, with many places remaining dry without seeing storms.
  • The yellow weather warning will expand to cover the majority of England and Wales on Monday, with southwest England, western Wales, and the most northerly parts of England avoiding the warning.
  • The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for Somerset coast at Porlock Weir and Wye Estuary at Brockweir.
  • The Met Office warns of "frequent lightning" going into Saturday afternoon.

Statistics:

  • Up to 100mm of rainfall is expected in 12 hours in the worst-affected areas.
  • Up to 80mm of rainfall is expected in some areas.
  • 80mm is roughly matching the September average for rain in the UK.
  • 2 flood warnings and 25 flood alerts are in place.
  • The yellow weather warning covers all of Wales, southwest England, and large parts of the Midlands and southern England.

Sources:

  • Met Office - "Yellow weather warning for rain and thunderstorms"
  • Met Office - "Yellow weather warning for rain and thunderstorms"
  • Environment Agency - Flood warning for Somerset coast at Porlock Weir
  • Environment Agency - Flood warning for Wye Estuary at Brockweir