Meteorologists have warned that potentially deadly flooding could hit parts of the UK with an ‘unbelievable’ 250mm of rain starting at 3pm today.
An Amber Alert has been issued for parts of Scotland and the north-west of England ahead of the possibility of heavy rain this evening.
Meteorologists have warned that strong currents or deep flood waters could create a “deadly situation”. One Met Office Meteorologist Marco Petagna said 250 mm of rain could fall within the next 36 hours. He described the amount of rain forecast as ‘unbelievable’.
The Amber Alert, which covers parts of Cumbria and Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway region, also warned of flooding and travel disruptions to homes and businesses.
The Met Office has warned: ‘Flooding and transport disruptions are likely due to incessant and heavy rains.
Potentially deadly flooding could hit parts of the UK from 3pm today, weather experts have warned, with an ‘unbelievable’ 250mm of rain expected within hours. Pictured: A van walks through flood waters in Surrey on 21 October
‘(Will) have difficult driving conditions and some roads were probably closed due to spray and flooding. Train and bus services are likely to be delayed and cancelled.
The AMBER Alert for Cumbria is in effect from 3 PM to midnight today. The Warning for Southern Scotland is in effect from 9 PM tonight to 9 AM tomorrow. Both warnings are followed by the Ember warnings on Thursday, which are in effect until Friday morning.
They are also being operated with yellow warnings for large parts of Cumbria and the south of Scotland.
The yellow warning, covering the city of Carlisle and the city of Dumfries, warns of a ‘small chance of flooding’, disruption of travel and a potential ‘hazard to life’.
A yellow warning is also in effect for most of Wales and Carlisle from Burnley and Lancaster on Friday.
According to the Met Office’s most recent forecast today: ‘(There will be) rain, heavy and continuous over the hills, with some flooding likely to occur in places affecting southern Scotland, northern England and perhaps northern Wales.
The AMBER Alert for Cumbria is in effect from 3 PM to midnight today. Warning for Southern Scotland in effect from 9 PM tonight to 9 AM tomorrow
‘Mostly dry in the north and dry in the south and east. Be airy and very light. (Tonight) Rain ahead, heavy over the hills, affecting southern Scotland, northern England and Wales. The north and south here are mostly dry. Wind and light or too light.’
For Thursday, the forecast says: ‘(There will be) bands of rain, heavy over the hills, from south-west England, Wales to lie over north-east England by evening, sinking gradually to the south-east. Localized flooding is possible further west. Airy and very light.’