Weather warnings issued for heavy rain and strong winds in parts of UK

Severe Weather Alerts Issued Across the UK: Flood Risk and Storm Ingrid

Meteorological warnings have been issued across parts of the United Kingdom, including a severe Amber Alert for heavy rainfall. Significant flooding is anticipated in eastern Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of England and Wales. These downpours will be accompanied by gale-force winds, particularly in the north-east of Scotland.

Amber Warning: Eastern Scotland

Heavy rain and high winds continue to batter eastern Scotland. A Met Office Amber Warning remains in force for Grampian, Angus, Perth, and Kinross until 18:00 GMT.

Accumulations: 60–80mm are likely, with 100–120mm over higher ground.
Peak Totals: Some areas may have seen upwards of 150mm since Wednesday evening.
Impact: Extensive surface water and river flooding are expected.

A broader Yellow Warning also covers eastern Scotland, with 30–60mm of rain regularly observed. Given that the ground is already saturated from recent rain and snow, the risk of flooding is high. Strong south-easterly winds will further exacerbate the poor conditions.

Thursday: Wales, SW England, and Northern Ireland

Yellow warnings are in effect for the following regions:

South-east Wales, Somerset, and Devon: (08:00 to 16:00 GMT)
Northern Ireland: (10:00 to 23:59 GMT)

Persistent, heavy rainfall throughout the day is likely to cause localized flooding and travel disruptions. As of Thursday morning, nearly 160 flood warnings have been issued across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Friday: Arrival of Storm Ingrid

Storm Ingrid—named by the Portuguese meteorological service—is set to bring further heavy rain and strong winds on Friday.

Location: The centre of the storm will track across south-west England and north-west France.
Wind Speeds: Gusts of up to 60mph are predicted for south-west England and Wales.
Duration: A Met Office Yellow Warning will be in effect from 02:00 GMT Friday until 09:00 Saturday.

While Ingrid's winds are not expected to be as destructive as those seen during Storm Goretti, the combination of heavy rain and coastal gales will likely result in flooding on coastal plains and significant overtopping waves. Winds will gradually diminish through Saturday afternoon.

Looking Ahead: A Wintry Shift

While Storm Ingrid affects the south-west, the rest of the UK will experience a brisk south-easterly breeze. However, a significant weather shift is on the horizon.

The Coming Cold Snap: By the weekend and into early next week, a "cold snap" will arrive as air from north-east Europe moves across the UK.

Temperature Drop: By Monday, temperatures are expected to plummet to 4–6°C below the January average.
Wintry Hazards: The easterly wind will bring occasional wintry showers, with snow likely in several areas. While the exact locations and accumulations remain uncertain, the threat of snow is high.