Areas hit by recent flooding are set to endure another deluge on Thursday after a yellow weather warning for rain was issued – with dozens of flood warnings still in place.
Parts of the UK saw more than the monthly average rainfall on Monday, with the wettest place – South Newington in Oxfordshire – seeing 111.4mm, over twice the average amount, according to the Met Office. Areas including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire were among the worst hit and some roads were still closed and rail services disrupted on Tuesday morning.
There was a respite from the heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday will see some light rain but on Thursday a yellow warning – indicating heavy rain could cause some disruption – has been issued for the whole day covering much of the north east of England. Between 20 and 30mm of rain could be seen widely, 50 to 70mm could fall in some locations and it is possible the Pennines and North York Moors could have between 80-100mm of rain.
The Environment Agency still has dozens of flood warnings in place for Wednesday. However, these figures are expected to rise on Thursday, when the yellow weather warning comes into force.
Where are the flood warnings?
The Environment Agency has 28 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 54 flood alerts, meaning it is possible, in place across England as of 8.20am on Wednesday morning.
These cover large parts of the Midlands and some of southern England, including London, Reading, Luton, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Leicester and Cheltenham.
The Met Office said parts of Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire saw more than 100mm of rain in 48 hours this week already, with Woburn in Bedfordshire recorded 132mm, more than double its average September rainfall.
The A421 in Bedfordshire was closed on Tuesday in both directions between the A6 Bedford and M1 J13 near Marston Moretaine because of severe flooding.
The northbound A5 between the A421 in Bletchley and Great Holm at Milton Keynes was closed by rising water levels on Tuesday morning after one lane had been opened overnight.
Train services were also affected, as London Northwestern Railway said its Marston Vale line, which operates services between Bedford and Bletchley, would be suspended until 30 September.
Chiltern Railways said trains between Banbury and Bicester North were running at reduced speed on all lines.
The National Grid said it had seen a week’s worth of power cuts across the weekend.
On Monday, some schools in Bedfordshire were forced to close because of flooding, while a sinkhole appeared on the pitch at AFC Wimbledon’s stadium in south west London. London Fire Brigade said its 999 control officers took about 350 calls to flooding across the capital, with people rescued from cars and homes.
Yahoo News breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK, according to the Met Office.
London and the South East
Cloudy with outbreaks of showery rain, soon followed by a more persistent band of rain that arrives in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 17C.
Wet and windy on Thursday morning, with brighter spells and showers in the afternoon. Cloud and rain return in the evening, slowly clearing during Friday. Rather cold with plenty of sunshine Saturday.
South West
Cloudy with showery rain moving east across the region, with some heavier bursts especially possible during the afternoon. Turning brighter, but also windier, in Cornwall and Devon later. Maximum temperature 17C.
Sunny spells and blustery showers on Thursday, these perhaps locally thundery. Rain clearing on Friday then windy with sunny spells and showers. Largely fine on Saturday after a chilly start.
Midlands
Largely dry with bright or sunny spells during Wednesday morning, though a few showers are possible. Thickening cloud through the afternoon and becoming a bit breezy with some rain later. Maximum temperature 15C.
Heavy showers on Thursday, and perhaps very wet in northern counties. Rain clearing on Friday then windy with sunny spells. Largely fine on Saturday after a chilly start.
It has been a very wet few days
Woburn has had its wettest day on record, having more than twice the average rainfall for September, meaning it has had more rainfall over the last couple of days than all of summer 🌧️
Check out a summary of 24-hour rainfall totals below pic.twitter.com/yfzuayiRIC
— Met Office (@metoffice) September 23, 2024
North East
Variable cloud with patchy light rain arriving from the south. A brief dry spell in the afternoon before a band of persistent rain arrives in the afternoon and turning heavy in the evening. Maximum temperature 13C.
Wet and windy on Thursday, clearing to see colder and brighter conditions Friday with some sunshine and isolated showers. Staying cold Saturday with a good deal of sunshine, isolated coastal showers.
North West
Some bright spells with scattered shower with some heavy downpours expected by the evening. Feeling cool and breezy. Maximum temperature 15C.
Periods of heavy rain on Thursday, with travel disruption possible, especially over the Pennines. Rain clearing on Friday then windy and showery. Largely fine on Saturday after a chilly start.
Scotland
A cold but bright and sunny morning on Wednesday, mostly dry throughout the day but some showers towards the Northwest and perhaps spreading east during the day. Maximum temperature 11C in the Highlands and 13C further south.
Winds continue to come from the north so feeling quite chilly up to the weekend. There will be lots of bright weather and scattered showers and fresh winds at times. Showers later on Saturday southwestern Scotland.
Northern Ireland
Wednesday starting dry and bright, but clouding over in the afternoon with some evening rain spreading in, especially to the south east. Strengthening northeasterly winds. Maximum temperature 13C.
A wet and windy day on Thursday but becoming drier and brighter towards the weekend with chilly northerly winds. Some showers on Saturday.
Wales
Some early brightness in the north, but rain arriving in southern areas by lunchtime, this spreading north through the afternoon, turning heavy at times. Turning breezier and feeling cool. Maximum temperature 16C.
Heavy showers on Thursday, these perhaps most prolonged in the north. Rain clearing on Friday then windy with sunny spells and showers. Largely fine on Saturday after a chilly start.
