Almost five inches of rain, equivalent to a month’s rainfall, are expected to hit various parts of the UK today. The inclement weather is likely to lead to flooding and hazardous road conditions, especially in the morning. A band of low pressure moving in from the west will bring heavy rain to regions such as south Wales, the Southwest of England, and parts of the Northwest of England.
The Met Office has provided detailed information on the timing of the expected rain for areas under the four weather warnings issued for today. Weather maps indicate intense downpours in western regions like south Wales and Dumfries and Galloway early in the day.
By 6am, heavy rain is forecasted for most of Wales, with the northern part experiencing the strongest showers. During rush hour, Wales, Merseyside, and Lancashire are expected to face the brunt of the rainfall, according to meteorologists.
Rainfall is anticipated across most of the UK by midday, with southern areas like Glamorgan, Devon, and Somerset at a heightened risk of flooding and travel disruptions around lunchtime. Red and orange zones on the weather maps highlight these areas in the afternoon.
The Southwest of England will see significant rainfall in the afternoon, with the low-pressure system moving over the Home Counties and the Cotswolds around 3am. Southern counties are also expected to experience strong winds in the late afternoon.
Showers will linger, with heavy rain persisting in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and later in the day, in the capital. Weather warnings remain in effect throughout the day due to concerns about flooding, power outages, and travel disturbances.
The weather alerts indicate that up to 120mm of rain could fall, particularly in south Wales, mid Wales, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Cumbria. Notably, Swansea typically receives around 110mm of rain in December, while Manchester gets approximately 100mm. Bristol, another warned area, usually sees about 80mm of rainfall during an average December.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Rebekah Hicks stated that heavy rain will affect south Wales starting late Sunday and continuing through Monday. The highest accumulations are expected over the elevated terrain in south Wales, potentially reaching 100-120mm throughout the day. Lower-lying areas within the Amber warning zone may receive 60-80mm, while locations at lower elevations could expect 20-40mm.
Additional yellow rain warnings have been issued for the southwest and northwest of England, central and northern parts of Wales, and southwest Scotland, with potential disruptions anticipated in these regions throughout the day.