Britain faces continued disruption from thunderstorms and heavy rainfall today as 18 flood alerts and a Met Office yellow weather warning remain in place across the country. The severe weather conditions pose a risk of flooding and travel disruption, particularly affecting parts of Scotland and central England.
Yellow warnings for thunderstorms currently cover parts of Scotland, where heavy rain could cause flooding and significant travel disruption throughout the day. The rest of the country will experience a mixed picture of sunny spells and scattered showers, with rainfall continuing into the evening.
The Environment Agency has issued 18 flood alerts following intense downpours across the nation. Most alerts are concentrated in Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, and Nottingham, where communities remain on high alert for potential flooding.
Meteorologist Forecasts Improvement
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan has suggested that despite the adverse weather conditions, temperatures will remain relatively high in some areas. Speaking about Tuesday’s forecast, he indicated conditions would show gradual improvement from recent days.
“Tuesday is not looking as unsettled. The showers won’t be quite as widespread or indeed as heavy as they have been,” Morgan said. “Nonetheless, there will be some showers or longer spells of rain for Scotland in particular, the west, (and) northwestern parts of England as well.”
He added that many parts of England and Wales would experience a “fairly reasonable day with some dry periods”. If sunshine breaks through the clouds, temperatures could reach 24C or 25C in some locations.
Northern Ireland Bears Brunt of Deluge
The severe weather follows a particularly intense period of rainfall that struck Northern Ireland on Sunday night. Chief Meteorologist Andy Page had warned of extreme conditions, stating: “A band of very heavy rain will pivot over Northern Ireland during Sunday night, bringing totals of possibly 50-75 mm in just a short period of time.
The forecast proved accurate, with some areas experiencing more than 85 per cent of their average July rainfall in just 24 hours. Killowen in County Down recorded 68mm of rain since 5pm on Sunday, the highest amount across the UK. This represents 84 per cent of its typical July rainfall of 80.75mm.
Murlough in County Down experienced 60mm of rain during the same period, equivalent to 87 per cent of its July average. The region typically records 89mm of rain throughout July, meaning more than half a month’s rainfall fell in less than a day.
Monday’s Multiple Weather Warnings
Yesterday saw four weather warnings in place across the country, with authorities warning of “danger to life” from the stormy conditions. The heavy rainfall created hazardous conditions, with flooding potentially leading to difficult driving circumstances and road closures.
Homes and businesses faced the threat of flooding, with some communities at risk of being cut off by flooded roads. Transport networks experienced significant disruption, with delays and cancellations affecting train and bus services. Power cuts also occurred in some areas affected by the severe weather.
The Met Office issued specific safety advice, stating: “If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning.”
Widespread Impact on Infrastructure
The intense rainfall has particularly affected Northern Ireland’s infrastructure. Flooding rendered several routes in Fermanagh impassable on Sunday evening, including Marble Arch Road, Florencecourt, and Sligo Road in Enniskillen.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland issued safety warnings to motorists, with a spokeswoman advising: “Please take care when travelling, slow down, and exercise caution on affected roads.
Emergency services have been working around the clock to respond to flooding incidents and assist affected communities. The high intensity rainfall created particular challenges for urban drainage systems, leading to surface water flooding in multiple locations.
Morning Commute Disruption
Page had specifically warned about the impact on Monday morning’s commute, stating: “The heavy rain comes at the start of a new working week so expect disruption to the Monday morning commute and check the flood risk in your area to protect your property.
The warning proved prescient, with numerous transport delays reported across affected regions. Commuters faced extended journey times as flooding and poor visibility created hazardous travel conditions.
Looking Ahead
While Tuesday promises some improvement in weather conditions, the Met Office maintains a cautious outlook. Scattered showers in western areas are expected to continue, with patchy rain and drizzle affecting various regions.
Showers are forecast to become widespread across Wales and central and southern England, with the possibility of further thunderstorms. However, conditions should feel warm in any sunny spells that develop between the rain.
The longer-term forecast suggests a gradual shift towards more settled conditions later in the week. Thursday is expected to be much drier for many areas, apart from the southeast. Patchy rain may return to western regions on Friday, whilst eastern areas could experience brighter and warmer conditions.
Safety Remains Priority
Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions. Those in flood-risk areas are advised to monitor local conditions closely and prepare emergency plans if necessary.
The Met Office emphasises the importance of avoiding unnecessary travel during severe weather events and following safety guidance when thunderstorms occur. With 18 flood alerts still active, communities in affected areas must remain prepared for potential flooding.
As Britain navigates through this period of unsettled weather, emergency services remain on standby to respond to incidents. The combination of high rainfall totals, saturated ground conditions, and ongoing weather warnings means flood risk remains elevated across multiple regions.
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Image Credit:
Rainy day at Baysbrown Tarn – Photo by Chris Heaton, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph / Wikimedia Commons.
