Hundreds of flood alerts in place after Met Office warnings for heavy rain

23 February 2024 , 15:01

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The Environment Agency has issued 298 flood warnings and alerts (Image: James Linsell-Clark / SWNS)

Thousands of Brits are facing flood misery after warnings were issued ahead of a deluge of heavy rain expected to last days.

The Met Office has warned of a wet weekend for many, with downpours forecast for the South West and Wales. As a result, the Environment Agency has warned people to prepare for possible flooding and disruption. It follows forecasts for snow on Friday, which meteorologists say will mainly affect the North West and Scotland and fall mainly as rain in the South. For places like the South West, Brits can expect to be battered by rain and blustery winds.

The Environment Agency has also dished out a number of flood alerts and warnings across the region, with 52 warnings in place and a further 246 alerts at time of writing. The bulk of the red-level warnings are concentrated in the Gloucestershire, West Midlands and Dorset areas.

They follow what's been a week of bad weather for many, with the Met Office issuing yellow warnings for rain on Wednesday. Rain is expected until this afternoon, but the Met Office says this is likely to clear up into the evening. Saturday, February 24, is predicted to be dry, but still windy and cloudy, before more rain returns in full-force on Sunday.

Speaking of the forecast, the Met Office said: "Friday will be a breezy day for many, with showers feeding into many areas, though these will generally be more frequent in the west. Temperatures are returning more towards average for the time of year compared to the recent mild weather

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

Flood warnings mapped as entire country engulfed - with snow just hours away (gov.uk)

"Showers should reduce through Saturday, giving most areas a drier spell of weather. Further persistent rain and locally strong winds are likely to move into some southern areas on Sunday, though those further north are likely to see drier conditions."

It comes after recent temperatures produced highs of around 15C which is around five degrees higher than average for the time of year. The temperature at Kinlochewe village in Wester Ross, in the Scottish Highlands, was a new winter record for Scotland, the Met Office said.

Susie Beever