Met Office issues yellow warning for two days of heavy rain & wild winds bringing floods, power cuts & travel chaos
THE Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning spanning two days as heavy rain and wild winds move in.
Brits can expect to be battered by 150mm of downpour and 60mph gusts in a 24-hour period – with the weather service predicting power cuts and travel chaos.
Parts of southwest Scotland including Glasgow and Portee are set to be drenched by heavy showers on Wednesday and Thursday.
A two-day warning sparking flood fears has been put in place from 9am today until 3pm tomorrow.
The Met Office has said there is a chance rural communities could be cut off by washed-out roads while “dangerous coastal conditions” are possible.
Businesses and homes might also lose power if damage is made to overhead lines.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “A band of rain will move in from the west on Wednesday morning and will become slow moving with heavy bursts of rain at times, especially over high ground in Scotland.
“This rain will persist into Thursday for many within the warning area, with 75-100mm likely quite widely, with higher accumulations possible over the higher ground.
“Gusty winds will accompany the rain, with 50-60mph possible near Irish Sea coasts and the west of Scotland.
“Coupled with spring tides, this could lead to some dangerous coastal conditions before winds gradually ease later on Thursday.”
The intense weather is expected to cause chaos for commuters across Wednesday and Thursday.
Anyone looking to travel in the blistering winds and heavy downpours is being urged to take extra time.
Douglas Cairns from Transport Scotland said: “The forecast weather conditions are likely to impact driving in the areas covered by the yellow warning, so our advice to motorists is to plan your journey, leave extra time if needed and drive to the conditions.
“There may also be disruption on other modes of transport, so please check with your operator before setting off if you’re planning to travel by rail, ferry or air.”
Five-day forecast
Today
Largely dry across southern and central areas with spells of hazy sunshine.
Elsewhere, rain spreading into Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of north Wales and northwest England, becoming heavy and persistent over hills. Windy in the north, with coastal gales.
Tonight
Further rain across the north, again heavy and persistent over hills.
Drier towards the south, but rain reaching southwest England and south Wales later. Windy in the north and west.
Thursday
Rain moving eastwards throughout the day, with sunny spells and blustery showers following across the north and west.
Rather cool for many, with strong winds easing through the afternoon.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday
Remaining unsettled with wind and rain clearing to showers on Friday.
Potentially wet in southeast on Saturday, with showers elsewhere. Showers continuing in north on Sunday, but drier further south.