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UK weather: heavy rain brings further flooding with more forecast UK weather: snowfall forecast in Scotland as rain brings flooding
(about 1 hour later)
Met Office says more belts of rain expected and warns of high winds and snow in Scotland Met Office says more rain expected and warns of high winds in northern half of UK
A third consecutive weekend of stormy weather has brought further flooding to already sodden areas. Snowfall in Scotland will make driving difficult and could lead to people slipping on icy surfaces, the Met Office has warned, as roads were closed across the UK due to flooding.
With swathes of south Wales and northern and central England still trying to cope with the impact of storms Ciara and Dennis, heavy showers have hit parts of the UK with warnings of more to come. A third consecutive weekend of stormy weather has brought further flooding to already sodden areas, and strong winds are affecting swathes of the northern half of the UK.
The Met Office said more belts of heavy rain were due on Saturday night and again on Sunday night, accompanied by the likelihood of high winds and snow in Scotland. With large parts of south Wales and northern and central England still trying to cope with the impact of storms Ciara and Dennis, heavy showers have hit parts of the UK with warnings of more to come.
On Saturday morning, the Environment Agency had 88 flood warnings in place, as well as 152 flood alerts, covering areas from Wiltshire to Cumbria. Two severe flood warnings – meaning an imminent danger to life – remain in force for the River Lugg at Hampton Bishop, near Hereford. The Met Office predicted belts of heavy rain, high winds and snow in places across the weekend, but it stressed that the weather system had not been named storm Ellen since it was not yet severe enough.
Flooding was reported across the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales on Friday night, with the village of Horton in Ribblesdale cut off by rising water. The Environment Agency has 86 flood warnings in place, as well as 147 flood alerts, covering areas from Wiltshire to Cumbria. Two severe flood warnings – meaning an imminent danger to life – for the River Lugg at Hampton Bishop, near Hereford – were removed on Saturday afternoon.
However, flooding was reported across the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales on Friday night, with the village of Horton in Ribblesdale cut off by rising water.
North Yorkshire fire and rescue service tweeted: “We have two crews from Settle, Grassington and a water rescue team from Ripon in Horton in Ribblesdale which is currently surrounded by flood water. Crews are checking residents and ensuring everyone is safe.”North Yorkshire fire and rescue service tweeted: “We have two crews from Settle, Grassington and a water rescue team from Ripon in Horton in Ribblesdale which is currently surrounded by flood water. Crews are checking residents and ensuring everyone is safe.”
The service also said it had helped four people to safety from a stranded vehicle in Skipton, as well as helping with flooded properties in the village of Giggleswick.The service also said it had helped four people to safety from a stranded vehicle in Skipton, as well as helping with flooded properties in the village of Giggleswick.
North Yorkshire police said the A65 between Gargrave and Settle was impassible due to flooding on Friday night, and West Yorkshire police reported problems on the same road between Ilkley and Burley on Saturday morning. Motorists have been advised to avoid Billams Bridge in Otley. North Yorkshire police said the A65 between Gargrave and Settle was impassible due to flooding on Friday night, and West Yorkshire police reported problems on the same road between Ilkley and Burley on Saturday morning.
The damage wreaked by Storm Dennis last weekend and Storm Ciara the week before is projected to run into the billions to repair, and at least six people have died as a result of the extreme weather.The damage wreaked by Storm Dennis last weekend and Storm Ciara the week before is projected to run into the billions to repair, and at least six people have died as a result of the extreme weather.
Although this weekend will bring bouts of rain, high winds and even snow in places, the Met Office said on Saturday the conditions did not merit classifying the weather as a named storm.
Forecaster Marco Petagna said Saturday would bring a respite from the rain in some areas but there was a warning for high winds in the north and another band of stormy weather would sweep in from the south-west during the night.Forecaster Marco Petagna said Saturday would bring a respite from the rain in some areas but there was a warning for high winds in the north and another band of stormy weather would sweep in from the south-west during the night.
He said a yellow weather warning had been issued for rain in parts of Wales on Sunday with 60mm (2.36 in) in total expected in some upland areas. He said another storm system would move across the whole of the UK on Sunday night with high winds, rain and snow in Scotland and parts of northern England.He said a yellow weather warning had been issued for rain in parts of Wales on Sunday with 60mm (2.36 in) in total expected in some upland areas. He said another storm system would move across the whole of the UK on Sunday night with high winds, rain and snow in Scotland and parts of northern England.
Prince Charles visited Pontypridd in south Wales on Friday, which has been badly hit by the floods. It is estimated that 1,100 properties – both residential and commercial – have been affected in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area.Prince Charles visited Pontypridd in south Wales on Friday, which has been badly hit by the floods. It is estimated that 1,100 properties – both residential and commercial – have been affected in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area.
Caroline Douglass, the director of incident management at the Environment Agency, said: “This will be the third weekend of exceptional river levels and stormy weather. With the effects of climate change, we need to prepare for more frequent periods of extreme weather like this.Caroline Douglass, the director of incident management at the Environment Agency, said: “This will be the third weekend of exceptional river levels and stormy weather. With the effects of climate change, we need to prepare for more frequent periods of extreme weather like this.
“People need to be aware of their flood risk, sign up to flood warnings, make a flood plan and not to drive or walk through flood water.”“People need to be aware of their flood risk, sign up to flood warnings, make a flood plan and not to drive or walk through flood water.”
The agency said river levels had exceeded existing records with the Colne, Ribble, Calder, Aire, Trent, Severn, Wye, Lugg and Derwent among the many rivers where records have been broken.The agency said river levels had exceeded existing records with the Colne, Ribble, Calder, Aire, Trent, Severn, Wye, Lugg and Derwent among the many rivers where records have been broken.
England has already received 141% of its average February rainfall so far, and some areas have experienced a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.England has already received 141% of its average February rainfall so far, and some areas have experienced a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.