The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain, set to drench large parts of England and Wales over the weekend and into the start of next week, disrupting plans for many.
Weekend Weather Disruption
Swathes of southern England and Wales are under the yellow warning for the entirety of Saturday, with a repeat expected on Monday and Tuesday. Forecasters predict that many areas could see 20-30mm of rainfall, while some localised spots may be hit with up to 50mm. On higher ground, accumulations could reach a significant 80mm.
As a band of low pressure pushes eastwards, showers further north are likely to fall as snow. While Sunday is expected to offer a drier and brighter interlude for most, strong, blustery winds will persist for eastern coastal areas.
Met Office Warns of Travel Impacts
Jason Kelly, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, provided further detail on the unsettled conditions. ‘While the exact track of the low remains uncertain at this time,’ he said, ‘there is a clear signal for strong winds and periods of heavy rain, which could lead to surface water flooding and delays to road and rail travel.’
He also noted that rain will push into northeast England on Saturday, with some falling as snow over higher ground as the system collides with colder air from the north. After a colder, frosty night into Monday, the next weather system is poised to approach from the Atlantic, bringing a return of the wet conditions.
Understanding a Yellow Weather Warning
A yellow weather warning is the mildest alert level used by the Met Office, but it still signals potential disruption. It indicates that while many people may be able to continue with their daily routines, some will be directly impacted. The public is advised to assess if they could be affected by possible flooding or damage to property.
This warning comes after strong gusts left more than 1,000 homes without power in Scotland yesterday, with speeds reaching up to 83 mph on the Western Isles and the Isle of Mull, though most properties were reconnected within hours.
