Storm warning as 60mph gales and heavy rain to hit in hours | Weather | News

UK households should prepare for heavy rain and strong winds arriving in a matter of hours, according to the latest Met Office warnings. January saw several days of unsettled weather with the likes of Storm Chandra causing chaos in many regions.

Although we are fast approaching the beginning of spring, unsettled and changeable conditions are expected to stay for some time yet. The Met Office has warned of heavy rainfall in several parts of Britain tomorrow (Thursday, February 5), mainly in the South West of England.

Meanwhile, the latest maps from WXCharts show strong winds arriving in the UK in the second half of this week, with gales of up to 60mph in some regions. The Met Office has said commuters could experience longer journey times and public transport delays as a result of unfavourable weather. There could also be an interruption to power supplies and other services, as well as flooding in some homes and businesses. Weather maps show the areas that will be hit the hardest.

Wind maps show Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England hit with the strongest gusts on Thursday, February 5. The hardest hit areas include Argyll and Ayrshire in Scotland, as well as Cumberland, Lancashire and Greater Manchester in the North of England. 

In these areas, winds are currently projected to reach 60mph or more. In some small pockets, wind speeds could reach as high as 80mph, based on the current maps provided by WXCharts. These same maps show weaker winds in the South of England, where there will be much lower speeds of around 40mph. 

However, the South West, including counties such as Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, will experience the heaviest rainfall tomorrow. This region, along with a small pocket of Scotland, has been hit with yellow rain warnings for February 5. 

Tomorrow’s rain warning includes:

• Cornwall
• Devon
• Hampshire
• Isle of Wight
• Somerset
• Dorset
• Wiltshire
• Surrey
• West Sussex
• East Sussex
• Caerphilly
• Rhona Cyon Taff
• Methyr Tyffil
• Blaenau Gwent

Meanwhile, the small yellow rain warning in Scotland includes:

• Aberdeenshire
• Banffshire
• Kincardineshire
• Angus

The Met Office’s current forecast reads: “Rain arriving from the south overnight Wednesday into Thursday is likely to turn heavy and persistent in places for a time during Thursday morning.e

“Then, following a brief respite for many, albeit with some heavy showers around, a further area of organised and at times heavy rain is likely to once again arrive from the south, affecting the same area.”

It says that 10-20mm of rain is likely to have fallen widely by the end of Thursday, with a few spots “seeing in excess of 30mm”. As a result, some low-impact surface water flooding is “probable, with difficult driving conditions from spray, flowing water or flooded roads in particular”.

If your home is included in the yellow rain warning, the Met Office advises that you take action to floodproof your property and prepare an emergency kit. Additionally, you should check road conditions before driving. 

Brits should consider gathering torches and batteries in case of a power cut. Meanwhile, power banks for mobile phones are also a good thing to have when the power goes out. 

If your home is at risk of flooding, the Met Office advises that you park your car outside of the flood zone before heavy rain arrives. Plus, British households should store valuable items, such as passports and important documents, high up to protect them from water damage. 

When it comes to driving during these weather warnings, it is best to avoid travel completely. If you do need to drive, it is best to use main roads, slowing down, using dipped headlights, and giving yourself more time to react to slippery conditions.