Torrential rain sparked horror flooding across Britain today - and downpours are expected to continue into tonight.
A dramatic photo from near Swansea, Wales, shows a white van stranded in water nearly up to its roof - with the Environment Agency having issued a flood warning and 15 alerts in England. The Met Office, meanwhile, is also warning of strong winds in parts of the country, with gusts reaching 60mph in Scotland.
Meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: "We have several warnings out, the latest being the two issued today, one for wind in north-west Scotland and the other for rain in south-east England during the rush hour period and into the early hours. Low pressure is dominating with a band of rain pushing its way eastwards, becoming very slow moving across south-eastern areas later."
From midnight on Monday to 12pm on Wednesday, Ms Chalk said there has been more than 150mm of rainfall in both Cumbria and Snowdonia, over 100mm in the Brecon Beacons and more than 80mm in Dartmoor, with 165.2mm in Honister Pass, Cumbria, and 161.8mm in North Wales.
Grahame Madge, Met Office spokesperson, said: “On Sunday, we will start to see the influence of ex-tropical Hurricane Nigel, which will be offshore in the mid-Atlantic. These systems have a long reach, it will increase rainfall rates and also winds to bring unsettled weather to the UK.”
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
North Hertfordshire Police has warned motorists to be aware of a road closure caused by flooding.
The force said in a tweet: "Please be aware Cambridge Road, #Hitchin has been closed at the railway bridge due to flooding.
"Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes."
Please be aware Cambridge Road, #Hitchin has been closed at the railway bridge due to flooding.
— North Herts Police (@NthHertsPolice) September 20, 2023
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/m4tB1a2Vvw
Met Office maps show temperatures dipping suddenly into Saturday morning, as autumn kicks in.
Much of the UK will see the mercury fall into single digits overnight in the coming days.
London, for example, is due to enjoy 15C in the early hours of Thursday, but by Saturday this will be at just 8C.
Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said: "Into the weekend watch out for some chilly nights, some drier weather on Saturday before we see milder air come in, with some outbreaks of rain into Sunday."
The Met Office is forecasting a brighter but fresher start to Thursday for most, with plenty of sunny spells.
Showers quickly developing from the west, often heavy and thundery, particularly in western Scotland.
Tips to stop windscreen freezing and prevent blades from sticking to window
Remaining breezy in Scotland, but lighter winds elsewhere.
A brighter but fresher start to Thursday for most, with plenty of sunny spells
— Met Office (@metoffice) September 20, 2023
Showers quickly developing from the west, often heavy and thundery, particularly in western Scotland
Remaining breezy in Scotland, but lighter winds elsewhere pic.twitter.com/wyf7ZPOwOX
The Environment Agency currently has three flood warnings in place and 22 alerts across England.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has one flood warning and four alerts.
Natural Resources Wales has no warnings but 24 alerts.
Ynyspenllwch Road and Mond Valley Golf Club has flooded in Clydach near Swansea (Dimitris Legakis/Athena Pictures)The Met Office's long range forecast for September 25 to October 4 reads: "Monday will see cloud and outbreaks of rain slowly moving southeast, with drier conditions ahead of this, and sunny spells and showers to the northwest.
"After this, confidence reduces; however further areas of low pressure are likely to move towards the UK. Northwestern areas are most prone to spells of rain and wind, while the southeast has the best chance of some drier spells, which may temporarily extend further north at times.
"Temperatures are likely to be generally above average, especially towards the south. Towards the end of this period, a similar theme is likely to persist, with the greatest chance of unsettled conditions towards the northwest, while central and southern areas have a greater chance of drier spells. Temperatures are likely to remain generally above average."
Dog wakers sheltering underneath umbrellas on Wimbledon Common (Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)The Met Office issued a yellow rain warning for South East England from 4pm today until 3am tomorrow.
It described "heavy rain may bring some travel disruption", and added there was also a chance of interruption to power supplies, as well as flooding to homes and businesses.
There are currently no further warnings in place for the rest of the week.
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The Met Office has compiled a list of the highest wind gusts from today.
Bealach na Bà, in Wester Ross in the Scottish Highlands, is top with 82mph recorded.
As well as heavy rain, there's been some strong winds across the UK
— Met Office (@metoffice) September 20, 2023
Here are the highest gusts from today pic.twitter.com/5sJcBmGmRS
Rain falls on the M5 motorway near Taunton, Somerset (PA)The Environment Agency has warned people to "stay away from swollen rivers and do not drive through flood water" amid the heavy rain in England.
In a tweet, they added: "It’s not worth the risk."
Heavy showers may cause #flooding in parts of England today
— Environment Agency (@EnvAgency) September 20, 2023
Stay away from swollen rivers and do not drive through flood water. Itâs not worth the risk.
Check your flood risk: https://t.co/hXAR2JenkQâ¦#PrepareActSurvive pic.twitter.com/peg1ky1wXM
Environment Agency officers were out earlier today in Cheshire clearing the Frodsham pump station following the heavy rain and wind yesterday
Our officers have been out and about in Cheshire clearing the Frodsham pump station following the heavy rain and wind pic.twitter.com/umn5M4pcPh
— Env Agency NW (@EnvAgencyNW) September 20, 2023
Ynyspenllwch Road and Mond Valley Golf Club has flooded in Clydach near Swansea (Dimitris Legakis/Athena Pictures)Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: "We have several warnings out, the latest being the two issued today, one for wind in north-west Scotland and the other for rain in south-east England during the rush hour period and into the early hours.
"Low pressure is dominating with a band of rain pushing its way eastwards, becoming very slow moving across south-eastern areas later."
She said Wednesday evening's expected downpours "may lead to some travel disruption, especially during the busy evening travel period as well accompanied by stronger winds too".
From midnight on Monday to 12pm on Wednesday, Ms Chalk said there has been more than 150mm of rainfall in both Cumbria and Snowdonia, over 100mm in the Brecon Beacons and more than 80mm in Dartmoor, with 165.2mm in Honister Pass, Cumbria, and 161.8mm in North Wales.
People walk through the rain and wet weather in Victoria, London (PA)A very wet evening in the southeast with a slow-moving band of rain
— Met Office (@metoffice) September 20, 2023
Showers further west will merge to longer spells of rain in northwest Scotland
Clearer skies elsewhere will lead to a cooler night than last night
Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/Hm8Myvbl9C
A white van is stranded in the flood, while its windscreen wipers still work in Ynyspenllwch Road next to Mond Valley Golf Club in Clydach near Swansea.
A white van is stranded in flood water (Dimitris Legakis/Athena Pictures)
