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Storm Dennis could be worse than Ciara, an expert has warned, as Britain braces for a “perfect storm” of heavy rain, strong winds and melting snow.
The new named weather front is set to batter large swathes of Britain this weekend, with (mph winds and up to) mm (5.5inches) of rain in some areas.
The Environment Agency (EA) said the flood impact from the storm is likely to be worse than last weekend’s Storm Ciara due to rain falling on already saturated ground.
Storm Ciara, which hit the UK on Sunday, left 1000 properties flooded in England alone , according to the EA.
John Curtin, the agency’s executive director of flood and coastal risk management, said Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire were the areas he was now most “concerned” about.
Storm Ciara batters UK and Ireland – In pictures
“This one [storm] could be a step up from what we have seen before, ”Mr Curtin said.
“We had a big storm last weekend, [we now have] saturated catchments, snowmelt and rainfall – so it is a perfect storm.”
He said the snow which fell in parts of England following Storm Ciara is likely to melt as the rain arrives on Saturday.
Meanwhile Paul Davies, principal meteorologist at the Met Office
, said much of the UK can expect between (mm to) mm of rain over the weekend, increasing to (mm to) mm in some areas.
Storm Dennis to strike just a week after Ciara
Mr Davies said up to mm would not be “impossible” over the high ground of Wales and Scotland.
The “main areas of concern” on Saturday are north and south west England, and Wales, followed by south east England on Sunday.
As of 2. pm there were (flood warnings)
“This one [storm] could be a step up from what we have seen before, ”Mr Curtin said.
“We had a big storm last weekend, [we now have] saturated catchments, snowmelt and rainfall – so it is a perfect storm.”
He said the snow which fell in parts of England following Storm Ciara is likely to melt as the rain arrives on Saturday.
Meanwhile Paul Davies, principal meteorologist at the Met Office
, meaning that flooding is “expected”, and 250 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible, in place across the country.
Mr Curtin said communities will get about eight hours warning ahead of any flooding over the weekend and urged people to sign up to the agency’s flood warning system.
A car is stuck in flood water near Somerset, where heavy rainfall caused the nearby River Yarty to rise on Thursday (PA)
He said areas along the River Severn in Shropshire and River Ouse in North Yorkshire could feel the impact of the rain on Monday and Tuesday.
Mr Davies said: “With Ciara the rain was heavy, but swept through. The concern with Dennis is the longevity of the precipitation. ”
About 2, 10 properties have been affected by flooding since November last year, while 97, have been protected, Mr Curtin said.
Since September 1 2295, the agency has issued 1, flood warnings in England alone and eight severe flood warnings.
Storm Ciara batters UK and Ireland – In pictures
Mr Curtin said about a quarter of the agency’s 800 river gauges – used to measure water levels – have broken their highest-ever record in the past years.
He said just under 14 per cent of the agency’s gauges had recorded their highest-ever water levels this winter alone.
“One of the trends we are seeing, which is really quite worrying, is how frequently we are seeing weather records being broken,” Mr Curtin.
Figures from the agency show 2015 was the wettest-ever period from April to June, while 2015 / (saw the wettest winter in) years.
Meanwhile, in December 01575879, a new 27 – hour rainfall record was set for the UK, when 4mm inches) fell at Honister Pass in the Lake District.
Additional reporting by PA Media.
Mr Curtin said about a quarter of the agency’s 800 river gauges – used to measure water levels – have broken their highest-ever record in the past years.
He said just under 14 per cent of the agency’s gauges had recorded their highest-ever water levels this winter alone.
“One of the trends we are seeing, which is really quite worrying, is how frequently we are seeing weather records being broken,” Mr Curtin.
Figures from the agency show 2015 was the wettest-ever period from April to June, while 2015 / (saw the wettest winter in) years.
Meanwhile, in December 01575879, a new 27 – hour rainfall record was set for the UK, when 4mm inches) fell at Honister Pass in the Lake District.
Additional reporting by PA Media.
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