The Met Office has issued urgent yellow weather warnings for rain, with forecasts predicting that some regions could see more than half of December's average monthly rainfall within a single 24-hour period this week.
Warnings in Force Across Multiple Regions
A significant yellow weather warning for rain will be active from 6pm on Monday and last for 24 hours. It covers a swathe of southwest England and Wales, extending into parts of Herefordshire and Hampshire. The forecaster warns that up to 40mm of rain could fall widely, with exposed areas like Dartmoor and the high ground of South Wales potentially seeing between 60mm and 80mm.
Separately, a yellow rain warning is also in place for Northern Ireland on Sunday, between 8am and 3pm.
Risk of Travel Disruption and Flooding
The predicted deluge is set to hit ground already saturated from recent wet weather, significantly increasing the risk of localised flooding and difficult travel conditions. Authorities have already issued more than a dozen flood warnings across England, with two in Scotland and one in Wales.
Steven Keates, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, explained the cause: "A deepening area of low pressure will approach the UK from the southwest later on Monday, bringing with it heavy rain and strong winds." He added that the system's precise track remains uncertain, making it challenging to pinpoint the worst-affected areas, but that it has the potential to cause disruption.
Unsettled Outlook and Christmas Forecast
The Met Office has indicated that the rest of December is likely to remain unsettled, with further periods of low pressure expected. However, they have stated it is currently too early to provide an accurate forecast for the Christmas period.
Residents in the affected regions are urged to stay informed by checking the latest Met Office forecasts and weather warnings, and to plan for potential travel delays.
