Britain is bracing for a severe bout of weather as Storm Claudia, which previously caused disruption in Spain's Canary Islands, is set to make landfall on Friday. The Met Office has issued a serious amber warning for rain, signalling a significant risk of flooding across large parts of England and Wales.
Widespread Weather Warnings and Potential Impacts
The amber warning is active from noon on Friday until the end of the day, covering sections of Wales, the Midlands, south-west, south-east, and eastern England. Forecasters warn that some areas within this zone could see an astonishing up to 150mm of rain, with 60-80mm falling widely. This volume could equate to a month's rainfall in just 24 hours.
Matthew Lehnert, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, stated: "This rain will become slow moving and some areas could see up to a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours. Much of this will fall on saturated ground, increasing the chances of flooding."
A separate yellow warning for rain covers a vast swathe of England, from Cheshire and North Yorkshire down to the south coast, for a full 24-hour period starting at 6am on Friday. Furthermore, a wind warning is in place from noon until midnight for some western areas, where gusts could reach speeds of up to 70mph.
Danger to Life and Travel Chaos Expected
The Met Office has been explicit about the potential dangers, indicating that deep, fast-flowing flood water could pose a danger to life. The public is being warned of probable power cuts, significant travel disruption, and potential damage to buildings.
The AA has issued strong advice against travelling in the "hazardous weather." A spokesperson cautioned: "Safety comes first. Conditions may change quickly, so stay updated. Flood water can appear quickly, and even shallow water can be dangerous – never try to drive through it."
Unlike many storms that directly cross the country, Storm Claudia is expected to maintain its position to the west of the UK. It was named by the Spanish meteorological service due to its impact on the Canary Islands earlier this week.
Emergency Services on High Alert
The Environment Agency is actively preparing for the storm's arrival. Ben Lukey, the national flood duty manager, confirmed that significant surface water flooding is probable across central England on Friday, with river flooding impacts possible into Saturday.
"Environment Agency teams are out on the ground to clear any debris from watercourses and preparing to operate flood defences when needed," Lukey added. The agency is working closely with emergency responders and local authorities to mitigate the storm's effects.
Meanwhile, northern parts of the UK are forecast to experience a turn towards colder conditions, with overnight frosts expected from Friday through to Sunday.
