The Met Office has issued multiple severe weather warnings across the UK, with heavy rain already battering northern regions and a massive snow event forecast for later this month. A yellow rain warning is active until 11am today across North-east England, Cumbria and southern Scotland, with 15-25mm rainfall expected and up to 50mm in some areas.
A more extensive 24-hour yellow warning takes effect Friday at 6am, covering much of England and Wales until Saturday morning. Mike Silverstone, Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, warned: «Heavy rain will affect a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales on Friday into Saturday. This rain will become slow moving, and some areas could see up to a month's worth of rain in 24 hours.» Rainfall totals of 30-50mm are forecast widely, with 60-80mm in some places and potentially over 100mm on east-facing hills in southeast Wales.
Flooding response
Natural Resources Wales issued 20 flood alerts today as rivers swell and ground becomes saturated. Alun Attwood, Duty Tactical Manager for Natural Resources Wales, said: «The yellow rain warning in place from the early hours of Friday and into Saturday could lead to significant impacts across Wales. With rivers already swollen and the ground saturated, we expect to see flood alerts and warnings issued.» Residents are urged to check flood risk areas and prepare emergency kits.
Major snow event ahead
Beyond the immediate rain threat, forecasting service WXCharts predicts a 420-mile wall of snow sweeping the UK around November 20, with temperatures plummeting to -7°C or lower. The deepest snowfall is expected across Scotland and northern England, with cities including Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester and Belfast forecast to receive four to eight inches of snow.
Travel disruption is anticipated as the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, the Pennines, Cumbria and North Yorkshire face likely heavy snowfall. Overnight temperatures in northern regions are expected to drop below freezing, with Scotland averaging in the minuses throughout the coming week. Even London and southern England could see some snow, though temperatures there will remain milder at up to 13°C.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
