The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for heavy rain and high winds across large parts of the UK, with severe conditions expected from Monday evening through Wednesday morning. Gusts could exceed 70mph and rainfall may reach 80mm in some areas, threatening transport disruption, power outages, and flooding.
The warnings cover Wales, south-west England, north-west England, and north-west Scotland in waves. The first wind warning takes effect at 10pm Monday for Hampshire to Cornwall and north Wales, lasting until 4pm Tuesday. A rain warning for the same regions runs from 6pm Monday to 6pm Tuesday.
North-west England faces a separate rain warning from midnight Tuesday until 3pm, while north-west Scotland is under a wind warning from 3pm Tuesday to 10am Wednesday. The Met Office warned: «Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life.»
Uncertain Track Creates Forecast Challenge
Steven Keates, the Met Office's deputy chief meteorologist, explained the difficulties in predicting exact impacts. «A deepening area of low pressure will approach the UK from the south-west later on Monday, bringing with it heavy rain and strong winds, which are likely to affect the UK between late Monday and early Wednesday», he said.
The precise track and depth of the system remain unclear. «At present, the exact track, depth, and timings of this low are uncertain, which makes it harder to determine where will be most impacted by strong winds and/or heavy rain», Keates added. «This system has the potential to cause disruption, and severe weather warnings are likely to be issued over the weekend as details become clearer.»
Transport and Power Networks at Risk
The warnings indicate potential problems for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges. Coastal areas may face spray and large waves affecting seafronts and communities.
Power outages are possible across affected regions. Some communities could be cut off if houses and businesses flood. Twelve flood warnings were already in place across England on Sunday.
Previous Wind Damage
The warnings follow earlier severe weather over the weekend. Gusts up to 40mph hit parts of the south coast overnight into Saturday. Firefighters in Seaford, East Sussex, responded to an incident where high winds tore off a garage roof and door.
Northern Ireland was under a yellow rain warning on Sunday, which ended at 3pm. Meteorologists say it remains too early to provide an accurate forecast for the Christmas period.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
