The Met Office has issued multiple amber and yellow weather warnings for heavy rain across the UK, with up to 200mm of rainfall expected in some areas and significant flooding risks from Sunday through Monday. Parts of Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland face travel disruption, power cuts, and a "danger to life" from fast-flowing floodwater.
Amber warnings—the second-highest alert level—are in effect for south-west Scotland until Sunday evening and for six areas in Wales on Monday. Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna explained: «Really, it's a very slow moving band (of rain). That's why we're going to see those high rainfall totals.»
Rainfall totals and timing
The heaviest rain is forecast for Cumbria, where over 200mm could accumulate over 48 hours. South-west Scotland's amber warning area expects between 110mm and 130mm of rain. Across amber warning zones in Wales—including Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Swansea—50-80mm is forecast, with some places seeing close to 100mm.
Yellow warnings cover broader areas across northern England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Petagna said: «Over the next few days, we're looking at 20mm to 70mm towards the north-west of the UK, so one to three inches of rain, fairly widely.»
Travel chaos and rail disruptions
ScotRail has cancelled services between Kilmarnock and Dumfries, with speed restrictions in place across multiple routes including Glasgow Central to Stranraer, Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, and the West Coast Main Line. The A78 road in Greenock remains closed in both directions due to flooding.
Avanti West Coast warned of "significant disruption" to services north of Preston, including Lancaster, Carlisle, and Glasgow. The operator advised passengers to check before traveling.
Flooding danger and safety warnings
Jonathan Day, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: «Significant surface water flooding impacts are possible in parts of the North of England on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There are also possible significant river flooding impacts in parts of the North of England on Sunday and Monday.»
The Environment Agency urged people not to drive through floodwater, warning that just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float a car. Those affected by fast-flowing or deep water should call 999.
The Met Office advised residents in amber warning areas to prepare flood kits containing insurance documents, a torch with spare batteries, a first-aid kit, and prescription medicines.
Scotland warning downgraded
In a positive development, the Met Office downgraded its amber warning for south-west Scotland to yellow on Sunday after rain proved less heavy than initially forecast. However, a yellow warning for heavy localized downpours remains in effect for western Scotland throughout Sunday.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
