The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain and says Brits living in 20 places ought to consider preparing an ’emergency’ flood kit as well as some essential items
Brits living in 20 places have been told to consider preparing an ’emergency’ flood kit as well as some key items.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain. It came into force at midday today and lasts until 8am tomorrow, covering large swathes of South Wales and the south-west of England.
The warning states rain is expected to turn “heavier” and “more widespread” in these areas before easing early on Wednesday. People have been told to expect spray and flooding on roads as well as disruption to bus and train services.
Forecasters say as much as 40mm of rain could come down in the areas impacted by the warning, while some exposed south-facing hills of the Brecon Beacons and Dartmoor are likely to see in excess of 50mm.
READ MORE: UK weather: Exact date Indian summer will smash Britain with 17C heat surgeREAD MORE: UK weather: Huge rain downpours and frosty blasts forecast to hit Britain in November
The Met Office also says people should check whether their homes could be at risk of flooding. The national weather agency adds: “If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
“Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.” People are also urged to prepare for potential power cuts by gathering torches, batteries and mobile phone power packs.
Areas covered by the Met Office weather warning:
South-west England
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Gloucestershire
- Plymouth
- Torbay
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
The Met Office forecast for Wednesday states: “Cloudy once more, with outbreaks of rain. However, slowly becoming drier and brighter in south through the afternoon, with some sunshine possible. Remaining very mild, though winds beginning to ease.”
It adds for the rest of the week: “Western areas are likely to see further spells of rain Thursday and Friday. Drier and brighter in the east. A trend to more widely dry and bright weather come Saturday.”
BBC Weather says for Wednesday: “Tomorrow will be a largely cloudy day with spells of rain spreading northwards. The south-east and far north will start dry with sunny spells but rain will spread across northern Scotland later on.
BBC’s forecasters add for the rest of the week: “On Thursday, a warm front will clear, but spells of rain look to linger in the far north. Variable cloud and showers moving northward in the afternoon.
“Friday will see cloud and rain move in across western areas, though staying drier with sunny breaks to the east. Saturday looks to be drier but mainly cloudy, with some light showers in far northern areas.”