UK weather live: Met Office warning as over a month’s rain to fall in two days on southern Britain
More than half a month’s rain has fallen across two days in southern England and Wales up to Friday night.
A Met Office yellow weather warning was in place for the second day running as wet weather continued due to large patches of rain crossing the channel from France, but had subsided by Saturday morning.
There were warnings for flooding, power cuts and travel disruption with outbreaks of heavy rain “persistent” in some areas and “particularly heavy” in others.
For the weekend, for many, it will be a bright and dry start on Saturday morning with small bands of rain moving westward across the country.
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “Repeated areas of rain are likely to affect southern Britain over the next few days, generating some localised impacts into the weekend.
“It’s a different story further north though, as high pressure brings warmer and sunnier conditions, with higher-than-average temperatures, particularly across parts of western Scotland. Eastern areas are likely to be cooler and at times, cloudier due to winds blowing off the North Sea.”
Key Points
Warm Friday afternoon ahead for many
In pictures: UK outlook for Friday
Areas affected by Friday’s yellow weather warning
How high is the flooding risk?
Repeated areas of rain to hit southern UK over next few days, says Met Office
07:51 , Andy Gregory
In comments made on Friday, Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “Repeated areas of rain are likely to affect southern Britain over the next few days, generating some localised impacts into the weekend.
“We currently have a yellow weather warning for rain in place, and there’s potential for further warnings this weekend.
“It’s a different story further north though, as high pressure brings warmer and sunnier conditions, with higher-than-average temperatures, particularly across parts of western Scotland. Eastern areas are likely to be cooler and at times, cloudier due to winds blowing off the North Sea.”
Forecast for Saturday
07:00 , Alex Ross
A bright start in Northern Ireland and much of Scotland 🌤️
Cloudier to the south with patchy outbreaks of rain 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/gByUPGWTn5— Met Office (@metoffice) September 6, 2024
Outlook for weekend is ‘unsettled’
03:30 , Alex Ross
Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesman, said: “The outlook for tomorrow and into the weekend remains unsettled with further potentially very heavy rain to come.”
Weather warning extended to 2am
Saturday 7 September 2024 00:34 , Alex Ross
A yellow weather warning for rain in parts of south west England and Wales has been extended to 2am.
Thundery rain may lead to some travel disruption and flooding in places, the Met Office has warned.
Mapped: UK-wide rain outlook for Saturday
Friday 6 September 2024 22:00 , Alex Croft
Here’s what the rain is expected to look like throughout Saturday.
10am
3pm
8pm
‘North-south divide’
Friday 6 September 2024 20:55 , Alex Croft
The Met Office told of a North-South divide in the weather, with the South experiencing “pulses of heavy rain” over the next few days and drier, warmer conditions in the North.
This is expected to be the story for the entire weekend over the UK
The east of the UK should see cool and cloudier weather while the West experiences warmth and sun, with the north west of Scotland potentially seeing temperatures of 27C.
A weather warning has been in place throughout Friday and will remain in place until 2am on Saturday, covering parts of south west England and south Wales.
Mixed weekend of weather ahead
Friday 6 September 2024 19:44 , Alex Croft
It will be a “mixed outlook” for the UK this weekend, the Met Office says.
The southern UK will continue to experience pulses of heavy rain over the next few days.
But sunny skies will prevail further north as temperatures rise “well above average”, reaching up to the mid twenties in western Scotland on Saturday.
Eastern areas will be cooler and cloudier due to winds blowing off the North Sea.
Next week, “fresher, cooler temperatures” will sweep across the UK. The north can expect a “notably cool” period by mid-week.
Rain may lead to travel disruption and flooding
Friday 6 September 2024 18:37 , Alex Croft
The Met Office said heavy rain may lead to travel disruption and flooding.
Following on from Thursday’s rain, this will increase the possibility of travel disruption from flooding with a slight chance of power cuts and a small chance of some communities being cut off by flooded roads and deep floodwater causing a danger to life.
Commuters and motorists are warned to expect spray and sudden flooding, leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
Three flood alerts remain after three removed
Friday 6 September 2024 17:25 , Alex Croft
Three flood alerts have been removed by the Environment Agency.
These were for: River Axe area; Rivers Otter and Sid, and Exmouth area; Scrase Bridge and West Common Streams.
This means three remain:
Rivers Clyst and Culm and their tributaries
Tidal Thames riverside from Putney Bridge to Teddington Weir
Lower Avon and tributaries
A flood alert means flooding is possible but not certain - it is the least severe flood notice issued by the Environment Agency, after flood warning and severe flood warning.
Met Office update yellow weather warning
Friday 6 September 2024 16:10 , Alex Croft
The yellow weather warning has been extended until 2am on Saturday.
It now covers South Wales and west England, including Somerset and northern Devon.
It no longer covers London or the central/east England.
Flooding, power cuts and travel disruption are all possible. There may be lightning strikes in northern areas of the warning.
Here is the updated weather warning area:
Motor racing enthusiasts brave rainy afternoon
Friday 6 September 2024 15:02 , Alex Croft
Keen spectators haven’t been deterred from showing up to the Goodwood Revival, a period-themed historic motor race
The race, taking place in West Sussex, is a celebration of iconic cars and fashion.
West Sussex is currently smothered in a blanket of rain, according to Met Office weather charts. It should clear up by 5pm.
Potential for further weather warnings, Met Office says
Friday 6 September 2024 14:44 , Alex Croft
After two consecutive days of yellow weather warnings in southern England, the Met Office says there may be more to come.
“Repeated areas of rain” are likely in southern Britain, with potentially causing localised impacts over the weekend.
“We are keeping warnings under review, and will look to issue them over the weekend as confidence increases,” the Met said.
We’ll bring you the latest weather warning updates on this live blog.
Mixed weekend of weather ahead
Friday 6 September 2024 14:06 , Alex Croft
It will be a “mixed outlook” for the UK this weekend, the Met Office says.
The southern UK will continue to experience pulses of heavy rain over the next few days.
But sunny skies will prevail further north as temperatures rise “well above average”, reaching up to the mid twenties in western Scotland on Saturday.
Eastern areas will be cooler and cloudier due to winds blowing off the North Sea.
Next week, “fresher, cooler temperatures” will sweep across the UK. The north can expect a “notably cool” period by mid-week.
Warm Friday afternoon ahead for many
Friday 6 September 2024 12:24 , Alex Croft
As rain batters the south, the picture for the rest of the UK is far more promising.
By 3pm, temperatures could reach up to 27C in parts of the Midlands and East Anglia, and 25C in Manchester and the north west.
Western Scotland is set for a very warm Friday, with temperatures of 25C in Fort William and 23C in Glasgow and Ullapool.
North east England and eastern Scotland will remain around 18/19C.
In wetter, southern areas, temperatures will range from around 17C to 20C.
There is a clear “north/south divide” in Friday’s weather, the Met Office says.
In pictures: UK outlook for Friday
Friday 6 September 2024 10:06 , Alex Croft
Southern England and Wales is set for a wet start to the weekend while while the majority of the UK remains dry.
Here’s the picture for today’s rain:
12pm
5pm
10pm
Six flood alerts issued by Environment Agency
Friday 6 September 2024 09:02 , Alex Croft
Six flood alerts have been put in place for areas in the south and south west of England.
River levels are expected to rise as the many parts of southern England experience a second consecutive day of heavy rain.
Alerts have been issued for:
Lower Avon and tributaries
River Axe area
Rivers Clyst and Culm and their tributaries
Rivers Otter and Sid, and Exmouth area
Scrase Bridge and West Common Streams
Tidal Thames riverside from Putney Bridge to Teddington Weir
A flood alert means flooding is possible but not certain - it is the least severe flood notice issued by the Environment Agency, after flood warning and severe flood warning.
Residents in affected areas should have a food plan, medications and insurance documents ready.
Updated: Areas affected by Friday’s yellow weather warning
Friday 6 September 2024 08:38 , Alex Croft
The Met Office have updated the area covered by Friday’s yellow weather warning, which will remain in place until 23:59.
Parts of Cornwall and Devon are no longer within the area, with a large area of South Wales now facing possible torrential rain.
Flooding, power cuts and travel disruption are all possible. There may be lightning strikes in northern areas of the warning.
Here is the updated weather warning area:
‘North-south divide’
Friday 6 September 2024 06:00 , Alex Ross
The Met Office told of a North-South divide in the weather, with the South experiencing “pulses of heavy rain” over the next few days and drier, warmer conditions in the North.
The east of the UK should see cool and cloudier weather while the West experiences warmth and sun, with the north west of Scotland potentially seeing temperatures of 27C.
A further warning comes into force throughout Friday, covering a similar area in England and south-east Wales.
Rain may lead to travel disruption and flooding
Friday 6 September 2024 03:09 , Alex Ross
The Met Office said heavy rain may lead to travel disruption and flooding.
Following on from Thursday’s rain, this will increase the possibility of travel disruption from flooding with a slight chance of power cuts and a small chance of some communities being cut off by flooded roads and deep floodwater causing a danger to life.
Commuters and motorists are warned to expect spray and sudden flooding, leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
Heavy rain batters southern parts of UK
Friday 6 September 2024 01:08 , Alex Ross
Heavy rain has battered parts of the UK as forecasters warned of little respite from the deluge on Thursday and Friday.
A yellow warning, issued by the Met Office, is in place until midnight Friday – covering much of the south of Britain – with the risk of flooding across southern England and south Wales, stretching as far north as the West Midlands.
It is likely the Met Office will be issuing further warnings across the weekend, the forecasting body said.
‘North/south divide’ - warm Friday expected for northern areas
Thursday 5 September 2024 13:28 , Alex Croft
While the South is battered by heavy rain for two days, temperatures in the west and northwest of Scotland could reach up to 27 C.
Warm weather will stretch to some parts of Northern Ireland, and western and central England.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Brent Walker said: “Areas in western Scotland could see maximum temperatures of 26°C on Friday. If the wind were to shift a little, 27°C could even be on the cards for some places in the west as they pick up the foehn effect, which causes warming and drying of air on the lee side of high ground.”
There will be a clear “north/south divide” in the weather, the Met added.
Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly explained: “[The south is] a different story to the north of the UK though, as high pressure brings warmer and sunnier conditions, with higher-than-average temperatures, particularly across parts of western Scotland. Eastern areas are likely to be cooler and at times, cloudier due to winds blowing off the North Sea.”
Weather warning area for Friday shifts south and east
Thursday 5 September 2024 12:12 , Alex Croft
The Met Office have adjusted the weather warning area for Friday.
Oxford and the surrounding area north are no longer included in the yellow weather warning, which is set to bring torrential rain to large parts of the southern UK.
The south western corner of Wales is also now at risk of heavy rain, the revised map shows.
How high is the flooding risk?
Thursday 5 September 2024 10:21 , Alex Croft
The Met Office has warned residents in affected areas to check whether their property is at risk of flooding.
It says there is a “small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life” on both Thursday and Friday, leading to potential travel disruption, damage to homes and buildings, and the small possibility that “some communities will become cut off by flooded roads”.
Those who may be at risk of flooding should consider preparing an emergency flood kit and a food plan, the Met Office said.
“Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services. Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.”
But there are currently no alerts in place from the Environment Agency, which is responsible for putting out flood alerts for areas which could be at risk.
Month’s worth of rain possible in two days
Thursday 5 September 2024 10:15 , Alex Croft
The worst affected areas over the next two days could see up to a month of rainfall in the space of just hours.
Heavy downpours over longer periods could see as much as 80mm to 100mm of rain for locations which are affected repeatedly - which the Met say is possible during the second half of Thursday.
Moving into Friday, the worst affected areas will likely see 40-60mm throughout the day, with a lower likelihood of some areas seeing as much as 75-100mm. Rain may also be accompanied by thunderstorms.
With the average September rainfall for southern England and South Wales around 60-90mm, some areas could smash their average in the space of just hours.
The picture across the UK on Thursday - weather maps
Thursday 5 September 2024 10:00 , Alex Croft
Here’s how the day is going to unfold across the UK, according to the Met Office weather maps.
Dark blue patches mean less than 0.5mm, green to yellow patches means 2mm - 8mm, while red patches mean more than 32mm.
10am - Rain creeps in from the south
2pm - Heavy rain possible across southern UK
6pm - Rain shifts west
10pm - Heavy rain over for Thursday
Wet start to autumn follows an underwhelming summer
Thursday 5 September 2024 09:46 , Alex Croft
After the coldest summer since 2015, many hope autumn will be more kind.
But with two yellow warnings in place for large parts of the southern UK, those prayers haven’t yet been answered.
In summer 2024, the Met Office says temperatures were overall 0.22°C below the UK’s long-term meteorological average - with cool weather particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“Mean temperatures in both June and July were below average, with temperatures in August only slightly above. This was largely due to northerly winds bringing cold Arctic air to the UK in June and July, while August saw an increase in westerly winds bringing slightly warmer Atlantic air,” explained Met Office scientist Emily Carlisle.
The UK experienced around average rainfall, with 241.3mm of rain meaning it was 5 percent less than usual.
There was significant regional variation over the summer, with Scotland experiencing 18 percent more rainfall than its seasonal average while England experienced 23 percent less.
Northern and western parts of the UK suffered higher than average rainfall, while southern and eastern areas had a drier summer than usual.
Met Office issues yellow weather warnings for Thursday and Friday
Thursday 5 September 2024 08:55 , Alex Croft
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for Thursday and Friday, with flooding, power cuts, and damage to buildings possible over the next 48 hours.
Some areas will see “heavy downpours” on Thursday, with “possibly even as much as 80 to 100 mm if repeated batches of heavy rain affect the same locations”.
This is more likely during the second half of Thursday, the office says.
Moving into Friday, the risk of potential weather impact increases as persistent rain takes its toll.
“Rainfall totals of 15-30 mm are expected widely, however, the wettest areas are likely to see 40-60 mm through the whole of Friday with a lower likelihood of a few areas seeing as much as 75-100 mm,” the Met Office said.
