Latest Met Office weather warnings as heavy rain forecast across UK

The Met Office has issued rain warnings up and down the country on Thursday, with heavy downpours to fall on already saturated ground, leading to flooding risks.

Areas of low pressure will deliver very wet and windy conditions, displacing the cold weather that has bought frequent frosts, snow and ice.

The worst of the rain will fall in Western parts of the country which have already been hit by flooding this week – particularly in the south-west of England, where travel has been disrupted by waterlogged roads and railways.

Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “After a relatively calm day on Wednesday, wet and windy weather will move in from the West on Wednesday night. Low pressure will drive several days of unsettled conditions with heavy rainfall the main concern.

“We have issued a number of severe weather warnings for rain across the UK, as much as 80mm of rain could fall in some areas of the west, particularly higher ground. Higher ground in eastern Scotland could even see up to 100mm of rain. Our warnings are likely to be updated so keep up to date with the Met Office forecast.

“The rain will be falling on already very wet ground and where there is still lying snow in the north-west of England and parts of Scotland, snow melt will exacerbate the risk of flooding. It is important to check for flood warnings in your area issued by your local environment agency.”

Where are weather warnings in place?

Much of south-west England will be under a yellow rain warning until Thursday night, with showers beginning overnight on Wednesday.

Heavy rain is also expected in South Wales until around 6pm, and in a large patch of the Midlands covering Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Derby and Nottingham until 8pm.

Most of Northern Ireland is under a yellow rain warning until 4am on Thursday, with an alert for eastern areas lasting until 4pm.

There are also yellow warnings in parts of north-west England and south-west Scotland, as well as a large area of northern England and Scotland that is under a warning for ice until 10am on Thursday.

What is the latest weather forecast?

Here is the latest UK forecast from the Met Office:

Wednesday

A cold and frosty start with patchy fog or freezing fog, slow to clear in places. Mostly dry with sunny spells, turning windier and cloudier from the west through the day with rain following later. Becoming milder in the South West.

Wednesday night

A band of locally heavy rain and associated strong winds with coastal gales, will move east and north-east overnight. Milder air will start to ebb north-east too.

Thursday

Dull with pulses of rain, particularly heavy along south-facing hills and coasts. Becoming drier from the west during the afternoon. Widely windy with strong gusts and coastal gales. Noticeably milder.

Friday to Sunday

An unsettled end to the week with further heavy showers and rain. Often windy, but feeling mild when sheltered with temperatures climbing above average for the time of year.

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