UK Braces for a Washout Weekend with Hundreds of Flood Alerts in Place
As the UK prepares for a challenging weekend ahead, meteorologists from the Met Office warn of blustery showers and continued rainfall following torrential downpours on Thursday. With hundreds of flood alerts across the country, authorities are on high alert, urging residents to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions.
After sweeping across the west, blustery showers are expected to persist through Saturday and Sunday, exacerbating the flood situation. Currently, there are 58 flood warnings and 258 flood alerts issued across England and Wales, indicating the widespread risk of flooding.
In Wales, Natural Resources Wales has issued flood warnings for areas like the River Ritec in Tenby, along with 13 alerts. Meanwhile, Saturday will commence with cold and frosty conditions for many regions, with sporadic showers anticipated throughout the day.
Northern Scotland is forecast to experience lows of -6°C, while temperatures in southern England are expected to hover around 1-2°C on Saturday. The situation is set to worsen by Sunday, with heavier rainfall anticipated in the northwest, coupled with wet and windy conditions in the south.
Flood warnings remain particularly concentrated in Dorset and the areas surrounding Tewkesbury. The aftermath of Thursday's deluge saw several schools in Herefordshire and Worcestershire close due to rising flood levels and hazardous road conditions.
In response to the crisis, Tewkesbury Borough Council in Gloucestershire distributed sandbags to affected households, while numerous roads across the county were closed due to flooding. The Met Office warns that the most frequent showers will occur in western regions and near the English Channel coasts, with the possibility of thunder and hail.
Approximately 30 to 40mm of rainfall, equivalent to about a week's worth, was recorded in various regions, including the East Midlands, East of England, London, Southeast England, Southwest, and West Midlands. Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen emphasized the heightened risk of flooding and disruption due to the downpour falling on already saturated ground.
