Warning: Yellow

To expect: Rain

Affected areas: East Midlands, North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and Humber

Start time estimate: Saturday 6pm

End time estimate: Monday 6pm

The Met Office has issued an updated Yellow rain alert for several regions across the UK from Saturday to Monday.

The warning is covering parts of East Midlands, North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and Humber. All local areas affected are listed below.

Heavy rain is projected to impact the regions, arriving across the areas on Saturday at around 6pm and continuing until Monday 6pm.

The updated Yellow warning for rain was announced at 10:48am on Friday, December 12.

A Met Office forecast said: “Outbreaks of rain will spread in from the west during Saturday evening, persist through Sunday before eventually clearing away during Monday afternoon and evening. The rain will be heavy at times with accumulations of 50-70 mm developing quite widely across the warning area and over 100 mm across high ground. Totals will be highest across Cumbria, where over 200 mm could accumulate in places during this 48 hour period. Strong southwesterly winds are also possible at times.”

What to expect

Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings; Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life; 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.

What should you do during heavy downpours?

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 areas affected

East Midlands
Derbyshire

North East England
Durham, Northumberland

North West England
Blackburn with Darwen, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire

Yorkshire and Humber
North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

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 6pm on Monday.