Amber Warnings in Place as Storm Claudia Brings Heavy Rain and Flooding to the UK
Storm Claudia, a severe weather system named by the Spanish Meteorological Service, is set to bring heavy rain and possible flooding to parts of the UK on Friday and Saturday. The storm, which has already affected Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands, is expected to cause significant disruption across England and Wales.
The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings for parts of Wales, the Midlands, and the South East, where up to 150mm (6 inches) of rain could fall in some areas. These intense downpours, combined with already saturated ground, have raised concerns over flooding and travel disruptions. Some regions could see up to a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert explained: “Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall to a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales on Friday into Saturday. This rain will become slow-moving, and some areas could see up to a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.” This persistent rainfall could lead to widespread flooding and difficult travel conditions, particularly on roads that are already affected by recent rain.
The storm’s slow-moving fronts mean that the rain will be especially heavy across the east and south of England, with warnings extending to parts of south-east Wales and central England. While gusty winds of up to 70mph could hit north-west Wales and parts of north-west England, it is the heavy rain that is the primary concern.
Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, warned that “minor surface water and river flooding impacts are ongoing across the north of England today.” He continued, “Storm Claudia will bring heavy prolonged rainfall across parts of England, with significant surface water flooding probable across parts of central England on Friday, while significant river flooding impacts are also possible tomorrow and into Saturday.”
While Storm Claudia is unlikely to be as windy as some previous named storms, the combination of rain and strong winds, especially in elevated regions, could cause damage and disruptions. The Environment Agency has urged the public to “avoid driving through floodwater,” as it can be deeper than it appears. They recommend checking flood risks and preparing emergency flood kits in case conditions worsen.
The storm is expected to move out of the UK by Saturday, leaving behind cooler, drier conditions, particularly in the north, where frost and the possibility of early snow are forecast for the start of next week.
As the UK braces for more wet weather, southern regions can expect to see the rain clear by the weekend, although the risk of flooding will remain high for some. In contrast, the north will experience a much colder spell with frosty mornings and drier, brighter weather as Storm Claudia moves away.
