Met Office issues warning as 'wall of rain' on weather map set to hit UK today

21 February 2024 , 06:33

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Scores of flood alerts are in place for this morning (Image: Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock)

Millions of Brits have been warned of a wall of rain set to spread across the country this morning, with a yellow warning in place for swathes of Britain.

Today is set to start with heavy rain which could cause flooding in businesses and homes. Nightmare journeys could be endured by commuters heading to work on trains or on roads. There is also a danger of power cuts to home as the rain spreads across Wales and southwest England. Maps for today show the rain sweeping across the country. To add to the danger, as of last night there were 22 flood alerts in place from the Environment Agency and a further 178 warnings across the country. Despite the wet conditions the mercury will hover above 10C in most places.

The Met Office warns: “Heavy rain will spread across Wales and southwest England from early on Wednesday morning. Rainfall amounts will widely reach 15-25 mm, with as much as 50-70 mm over higher ground.

“With saturated ground in places, this is likely to lead to some disruption. Rain will clear to the east by the afternoon. Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.

A map showing the amount of rain predicted today (MET OFFICE)

“A wet and windy start across much of the UK with rain sweeping northeastwards, turning heavy at times in the west.”

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

Becoming drier for Northern Ireland later with some brighter spells developing

It added for today’s forecast: “After a wet and windy start, rain will gradually clear most areas in the afternoon, leaving bright and breezy weather behind. Mild, but feeling cooler in the wind.”

The yellow warning came into force for the southwest of England and parts of Wales from midnight and lasts until noon today. Cities like Plymouth, Exeter, Cardiff, Bath, Swansea, and St David's in Wales are all affected.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin, said the rain is a concern “because the ground is saturated in places”. He added: “That is likely to cause some issues, so there is a warning in place. Thankfully, by the end of the afternoon, it's predicted the rain will have cleared from most areas.” According to the forecaster, there will be a cold snap over the next few days. This is due to a new low-pressure system being swept across the Atlantic by an active jet stream.

Regions and local authorities affected:

South West England

• Bath and North East Somerset

• Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole

• Bristol

• Cornwall

• Devon

  Tips to stop windscreen freezing and prevent blades from sticking to window

• Dorset

• Isles of Scilly

• North Somerset

• Plymouth

• Somerset

• South Gloucestershire

• Torbay

• Wiltshire

Wales

• Blaenau Gwent

• Bridgend

• Caerphilly

• Cardiff

• Carmarthenshire

• Ceredigion

• Conwy

• Gwynedd

• Merthyr Tydfil

• Monmouthshire

• Neath Port Talbot

• Newport

• Pembrokeshire

• Powys

• Rhondda Cynon Taf

• Swansea

• Torfaen

• Vale of Glamorgan

Antony Clements-Thrower