UK Weather: Heavy Rain Triggers More Than 150 Flood Alerts

The UK is facing a wet and windy start to the week as heavy rain continues to cause flooding and disruption in some areas.

More than 150 flood warnings and alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency, SEPA, and Natural Resources Wales, with some areas expected to see up to 60mm of rain in 24 hours.

Southern England and Wales under yellow weather warning

(Photo : ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

A Met Office yellow weather warning for rain is in place across parts of southern England, south-east Wales, Devon, Somerset, and the Midlands, which will last until 6 pm on Monday.

The warning covers areas such as Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, Exeter, Gloucester, Oxford, Reading and Salisbury.

According to the Met Office, the rain will be persistent and heavy at times across parts of south Wales and southern England, especially during the morning.

It said that 15 to 25 mm of rain is likely to fall widely, with 40 to 60 mm possible in a few places, leading to some flooding and disruption. However, it also said that the rain will ease from the west during the afternoon.

The Environment Agency has so far issued 37 flood warnings and 120 flood alerts, as heavy rain is causing river levels to rise.

It advised people to avoid using low-lying footpaths near local watercourses and to plan driving routes to avoid low-lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

Some of the areas affected by flood warnings include the River Avon at Bristol, the River Thames and its tributaries from Calcutt to Lechlade, the River Yeo and River Parrett Moors around Muchelney and Thorney, and the West Dorset Rivers and Streams.

Also Read: UK Weather: Met Office Warns of Snow and Ice as Cold Snap Continues

Northern England and Scotland face snow and ice

Meanwhile, parts of northern England and Scotland are dealing with the aftermath of snow and ice, which caused travel chaos and power cuts over the weekend.

Two people died in separate incidents on Saturday, one in a car crash in Cumbria and another after falling through ice into a frozen lake in Nutfield, Surrey.

Yellow weather warnings for rain remain in place across northern England and across parts of Wales.

Heavy rain is likely to cause some flooding and disruption to travel. In Scotland, yellow warnings for ice are in place, with disruption to travel expected.

The Met Office said that a band of rain, sleet, and snow will move eastwards through Sunday night and Monday, followed by wintry showers.

It warned that icy stretches are likely to form on untreated surfaces. In addition, it said that a few cm of snow may accumulate on hills above around 100-200 m in central and southern Scotland, and above around 300 m in northern Scotland.

Some of the areas affected by flood alerts include the Lower Avon and its tributaries, the River Churn and its tributaries, the River Thame, Horsenden Stream, and Chalgrove Brook, and the tidal Rivers Bure, Ant, and Thurne.

The Met Office explained that the unsettled weather is due to a series of low-pressure systems moving in from the Atlantic.

It said that these are bringing spells of strong winds and heavy rain across much of the UK from the south-west.

It added that the most unsettled conditions are likely to be in the south and west, with more settled conditions further north and east. However, it also said that some rain is still expected across all parts at times.

The Met Office also said that the weather is likely to remain changeable until mid-December, with periods of wet and windy weather interspersed with drier and brighter spells.

Tags UK, Weather, heavy rain, flood alerts