UK weather - live: Met Office warns of torrential rain after -6C cold snap as hundreds of flood alerts issued

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings as torrential downpours are set to hit the country tomorrow.

The first warning starts from 6am tomorrow and covers parts of southwest England, whereas the second warning, covering parts of Sussex and Kent, starts at 3pm and lasts until 9am Monday.

Up to 40mm of rain is set to batter the areas leading to travel disruption and further flooding after a sudden chill last night led to lows of -6C in northern Scotland.

It comes as 57 flood warnings and 190 flood alerts are in place across England with one flood warning and six alerts in Wales as heavy downpours on Thursday caused flooding on road and railway lines.

Rainfall led to the closure of several schools in Herefordshire and Worcestershire on Thursday because of rising flood levels and “treacherous road conditions”, councils said.

Many roads across the West Midlands in particular were submerged and rail operators struggled to resolve issues on the tracks, with Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway services operating a replacement bus service between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.

Key points

  • Floods forecasted for the next five days

  • Warning for flooding across the Midlands

  • Mapped - Met Office issue fresh weather warnings

Weather warning on Monday

Saturday 24 February 2024 15:52 , Lydia Patrick

The warning for rain in the south east will remain in place until 9am on Monday.

Rain is expected to arrive across Sussex and Kent during Sunday afternoon, persisting through the night before slowly clearing on Monday morning.

Flooding and disruption is expected.

Monday weather warning (Met Office)
Monday weather warning (Met Office)

What weather warnings are in place?

Saturday 24 February 2024 15:00 , Lydia Patrick

A yellow warning for rain covering the South West from 6am to 6pm on Sunday suggests there could be downpours of up to 40mm in few places.

The warning says: “Rain is expected to move north-eastwards across parts of south-west England on Sunday morning, persisting through much of the day before slowly dying out later in the afternoon.”

It adds that 15mm to 25mm of rain is “likely quite widely” and up to 40mm in a few places, and that “with saturated ground, this may lead to some flooding and disruption”.

Persistent rain is also on the cards for London and the South East where a yellow rain warning running from 3pm on Sunday to 9am on Monday suggests widespread downpours ranging from 15mm-25mm and up to 40mm locally.

The warning says: “Rain is expected to arrive across Sussex and Kent during Sunday afternoon, persisting through the night before slowly clearing on Monday morning.”

A car drives through floodwater in Harbridge, Hampshire (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
A car drives through floodwater in Harbridge, Hampshire (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Mapped: Hundreds of flood alerts as rivers burst banks and UK braces for washout weekend

Saturday 24 February 2024 14:30 , Lydia Patrick

A washout weekend is expected in the UK as hundreds of flood alerts remain in place across the country.

After torrential downpours on Thursday, blustery showers are expected to pour on Sunday after sweeping across the west, say Met Office meteorologists.

There are 57 flood warnings and 190 flood alerts in place across England with one flood warning and six alerts in Wales.

Mapped: Hundreds of flood alerts as UK braces for washout weekend

More on the weather warning

Saturday 24 February 2024 13:45 , Lydia Patrick

The warning says: “Rain is expected to move north-eastwards across parts of south-west England on Sunday morning, persisting through much of the day before slowly dying out later in the afternoon.”

It adds that 15mm to 25mm of rain is “likely quite widely” and up to 40mm in a few places, and that “with saturated ground, this may lead to some flooding and disruption”.

In pictures - A chilly start to Saturday

Saturday 24 February 2024 13:30 , Lydia Patrick

Deer in Bushy Park in London. Picture date: Saturday February 24, (John Walton/PA Wire)
Deer in Bushy Park in London. Picture date: Saturday February 24, (John Walton/PA Wire)
A person cycling in Bushy Park in London (John Walton/PA Wire)
A person cycling in Bushy Park in London (John Walton/PA Wire)
The full moon known as the 'Snow moon' sets over Whitley Bay in North Tyneside (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
The full moon known as the 'Snow moon' sets over Whitley Bay in North Tyneside (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Mapped: Hundreds of flood alerts as rivers burst banks and UK braces for washout weekend

Saturday 24 February 2024 13:00 , Lydia Patrick

A washout weekend is expected in the UK as hundreds of flood alerts remain in place across the country.

After torrential downpours on Thursday, blustery showers are expected to pour on Sunday after sweeping across the west, say Met Office meteorologists.

There are 57 flood warnings and 190 flood alerts in place across England with one flood warning and six alerts in Wales.

Read the full story here...

Mapped: Hundreds of flood alerts as UK braces for washout weekend

Watch - The latest Met Office forecast

Saturday 24 February 2024 12:30 , Lydia Patrick

Today’s forecast

Saturday 24 February 2024 12:09 , Lydia Patrick

Sunny spells and showers are expected across the country today.

Patchy fog and frost will give way to drive sunny spells, the Met Office predicts.

The south coast and west will be struck by showers with could move elsewhere as the day progresses.

The southwest will feel breezy and be hit by rain later in the day.

Most will enjoy a dry clear night with fog and frost returning in some areas.

In pictures - Remnants of Thursday’s rainfall yesterday

Saturday 24 February 2024 12:05 , Lydia Patrick

Aman looks at floodwater in Harbridge, Hampshire. Schools have been closed and transport disrupted after a burst of
Aman looks at floodwater in Harbridge, Hampshire. Schools have been closed and transport disrupted after a burst of
A car drives through floodwater in Harbridge, Hampshire (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
A car drives through floodwater in Harbridge, Hampshire (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
Handout photo taken with permission from the social media site X, formerly Twitter, of @Trad_Cycle_Shop of flooding at the Traditional Cycle Shop in Stratford-upon-Avon. Issue date: Friday February 23, 202 (Fran Martin/PA Wire)
Handout photo taken with permission from the social media site X, formerly Twitter, of @Trad_Cycle_Shop of flooding at the Traditional Cycle Shop in Stratford-upon-Avon. Issue date: Friday February 23, 202 (Fran Martin/PA Wire)

Mapped - Flood warnings and alerts

Saturday 24 February 2024 11:34 , Lydia Patrick

Flood warnings and alerts in place across England today (Environment agency)
Flood warnings and alerts in place across England today (Environment agency)

Mapped - Met Office issue fresh weather warnings

Saturday 24 February 2024 10:49 , Lydia Patrick

Two new weather warnings have been issued as heavy rainfall is set to batter the UK this weekend.

Heavy rain is likely to lead to disruption and flooding in the south west and south east coast.

Two rain warnings are in place (Met Office)
Two rain warnings are in place (Met Office)

Warning for flooding across the Midlands

Saturday 24 February 2024 07:00 , Holly Evans

The Environment Agency put out a warning for those living in the Midlands, after heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding around the River Avon.

In a post on X, they said: “Rivers across the #Midlands are very swollen after heavy rain, as can be seen here on the banks of the #RiverAvon at Evesham in #Worcestershire. Stay safe by staying away from #flood water and avoiding flooded roads.”

Mapped: Hundreds of flood alerts as rivers burst banks and UK braces for washout weekend

Saturday 24 February 2024 05:00 , Holly Evans

A washout weekend is expected in the UK as hundreds of flood alerts remain in place across the country.

After torrential downpours on Thursday, blustery showers are expected to pour later on Friday and through Saturday and Sunday after sweeping across the west, say Met Office meteorologists.

There are 58 flood warnings and 258 flood alerts in place across England and Wales.

Read the full article here:

Mapped: Hundreds of flood alerts as UK braces for washout weekend

Floods forecasted for the next five days

Saturday 24 February 2024 02:00 , Holly Evans

Flooding has been seen across the UK following heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday.

On their website, the Environment Agency said: “Local flooding from rivers and surface water is probable across parts of England today (Friday), with this risk from rivers continuing around the upper River Thames into Saturday.

“Local flooding from rivers and surface water is possible across parts of the South of England and Midlands on Sunday and Monday.

“Local groundwater flooding is possible throughout this week in the Malton area of North Yorkshire, and parts of the South of England for the following five days.

“Land, roads and some properties will flood and there will be travel disruption.”

Frost and mist expected for Saturday morning

Friday 23 February 2024 23:00 , Holly Evans

The Met Office have predicted a cold start to Saturday, with fog, mist and rain across the UK.

Latest pictures of heavy rain across the UK

Friday 23 February 2024 20:24 , Holly Evans

A man looks at floodwater in Harbridge, Hampshire. (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
A man looks at floodwater in Harbridge, Hampshire. (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
 (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
(Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Five day weather forecast as showers and fog to hit the UK

Friday 23 February 2024 18:13 , Holly Evans

Here is the Met Office’s five day weather forecast:

This Evening and Tonight:

There will be further showers in the west, particularly in southwest England where it will also be rather windy. Clearing skies elsewhere allowing a frost and some fog patches to form as winds ease.

Saturday:

A mix of sunny spells and showers, although many of the showers fading away as we move into the afternoon. Temperatures around average for late February with mainly light winds.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

A band of rain likely to move across southern areas during Sunday, with northern areas likely dry. Many places dry on Monday before rain returns to the north during Tuesday.

Mapped: Hundreds of flood alerts as rivers burst banks and UK braces for washout weekend

Friday 23 February 2024 16:48 , Holly Evans

A washout weekend is expected in the UK as hundreds of flood alerts remain in place across the country.

After torrential downpours on Thursday, blustery showers are expected to pour later on Friday and through Saturday and Sunday after sweeping across the west, say Met Office meteorologists.

There are 58 flood warnings and 258 flood alerts in place across England and Wales.

Read the full article here

Mapped: Hundreds of flood alerts as UK braces for washout weekend

Stormy weather and hail expected on Friday

Friday 23 February 2024 15:25 , Holly Evans

The UK’s forecaster have predicted hail and stormy weather this afternoon, after a week of heavy rainfall.

52 flood warnings in place across England

Friday 23 February 2024 14:38 , Holly Evans

The Environment Agency currently has 52 flood warnings in place - meaning flooding is expected - with several issued around the River Severn and River Avon.

There are also 254 flood alerts, with river levels predicted to remain high as further rainfall is anticipated.

Natural Resources Wales has also issued one flood warning for the River Ritec in Tenby, as well as 13 alerts across the country.

Welcome to our live coverage

Friday 23 February 2024 13:38 , Holly Evans

Welcome to our live coverage of the UK’s weather conditions as we head into the weekend.

Follow here for all the latest updates.