This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/27/uk-weather-flood-warnings-remain-in-place-across-england

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK weather: flood warnings remain in place across England UK weather: floods close Devon roads as groundwater levels rise
(about 1 hour later)
Groundwater levels continue to rise after heavy Boxing Day rain but new year forecast to be dryGroundwater levels continue to rise after heavy Boxing Day rain but new year forecast to be dry
Dozens of flood warnings remain in place across England after rain blighted the Boxing Day sales. Floods have closed roads in south-west England and dozens of warnings remain in place after wet weather blighted the Boxing Day sales.
The wet weather is expected to ease into the weekend but groundwater levels are continuing to rise in parts of southern England after prolonged spells of rain, and the Environment Agency has warned people to expect flooding in 32 areas. The rain is expected to ease into the weekend but groundwater levels continue to rise in parts of southern England after prolonged downpours. The Environment Agency (EA) has warned of flooding in 30 areas.
Clare Dinnis, a flood duty manager, said parts of southern England and north Lincolnshire were most at risk. The A35, A39 and A377 in Devon were closed on Friday and the fire brigade had to rescue motorists from a car and a lorry stranded by flood water and a fallen tree near Leigh Cross.
“While the weather outlook is improving, groundwater levels continue to rise after recent rainfall, meaning that there is a continued risk of groundwater flooding in parts of southern England over the next few days,” Dinnis said. Firefighters were also called to Plymtree in Devon on Thursday night to rescue a driver who was unable to leave their car because the water was too deep.
Clare Dinnis, an EA flood duty manager, said: “While the weather outlook is improving, groundwater levels continue to rise after recent rainfall, meaning that there is a continued risk of groundwater flooding in parts of southern England over the next few days.
“We continue to monitor rainfall and river levels closely and to operate our flood defences, reducing the risk of flooding to thousands of homes and businesses and helping to keep people safe.“We continue to monitor rainfall and river levels closely and to operate our flood defences, reducing the risk of flooding to thousands of homes and businesses and helping to keep people safe.
“Our pumps also remain in place in Somerset where our focus is on reducing levels of water on Currymoor.”“Our pumps also remain in place in Somerset where our focus is on reducing levels of water on Currymoor.”
The agency has issued 100 alerts, meaning flooding is possible, in places across Devon, London, the Midlands and beyond. North Lincolnshire was also particularly at risk, she said.
But the Met Office said a period of high pressure was expected over the weekend, bringing a dry end to the year for many. The EA has issued 121 alerts of possible flooding over the past 24 hours, with 28 no longer in place, across Devon, London, the Midlands and beyond.
Cloud would cover much of England and Wales on Friday, with drizzle likely on the hills, but temperatures would be milder than recently, with a high of 13C (55F) forecast in the south-west. The Met Office said a period of high pressure was expected over the weekend, bringing a dry end to the year for many.
However, Scotland and Northern Ireland were forecast to experience wet and blustery weather, with some gale-force winds possible. Much of England and Wales is likely to be cloudy on Friday with drizzle on hills, and temperatures are expected to be milder than recently, with a high of 13C (55F) forecast in the south-west.
Saturday’s weather was expected to be similarly split, with drier, brighter spells for England and Wales, and rain for western Scotland. The forecast for Scotland and Northern Ireland is for wet and blustery weather, with gale-force winds possible. Saturday’s weather is expected to be similarly split.
Simon Partridge, a Met Office forecaster, said: “After that we will generally see high pressure building at the end of the year for much of the UK, and a spell of dry weather, with temperatures near or above average.”Simon Partridge, a Met Office forecaster, said: “After that we will generally see high pressure building at the end of the year for much of the UK, and a spell of dry weather, with temperatures near or above average.”