Warning: Yellow
To expect: Rain
Affected areas: London and South East England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands
Start time estimate: Monday 1pm
End time estimate: Tuesday 10am
The Met Office has announced an updated Yellow rain warning for London and South East England, South West England, Wales and West Midlands across the UK for Monday and Tuesday amid Storm Chandra.
The warning is covering parts of London and South East England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands. All local areas affected are listed below.
Intense showers are predicted to affect the regions, arriving across the areas on Monday at around 1pm and persisting until Tuesday 10am.
The updated Yellow alert for rain was announced at 10:25am on Monday, January 26.
A Met Office forecast said: “Storm Chandra will bring outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, across parts of southern and southwest England as well as southern and mid Wales from Monday afternoon, through Tuesday morning before clearing to heavy showers later on Tuesday. Rainfall totals are expected to reach 20-30 mm widely, with 50-80 mm likely across higher ground, especially Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). With wet conditions prior to this period, the rain will fall onto saturated ground, accentuating flooding impacts in places. Strong southeasterly winds are also likely.”
What to expect
Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings; Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible; Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures; Some communities may be cut off by flooded roads; Possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses; Landslides are possible in prone locations.
What should you do during intense rain?
Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do: consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
For further details see Met Office Warnings & Advice.
Full list of local regions affected
London and South East England
Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire, Southampton, West Berkshire
South West England
Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Torbay, Wiltshire
Wales
Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan
West Midlands
Herefordshire, Shropshire
What is an updated yellow weather warning?
The Met Office has three categories of weather warning, depending on the likely impact of severe weather and also how likely it is to strike in a particular area.
A yellow warning is issued when weather conditions are expected to disrupt travel and traffic and may impact on daily routines but are not likely to pose a risk to life or property.
An amber warning is more severe and advises people to think about changing their plans to minimise the risk.
A red warning means weather conditions are expected to be dangerous with widespread damage to property and a risk to life, with the public usually advised to avoid travelling.
The Yellow weather alert for rain will remain in place until 10am on Tuesday.