TheMet Officehas issued “danger to life” warnings with Britain set to be hit by a month’s worth of rain over just 30 hours.
Homes could be hit with powercuts and communities cut off as downpours arrive across the UK on Friday, forecasters warned. Gale-force winds of up to 60 mph will also batter some regions and the first snow of the season might hit higher ground.
A yellowweatherwarning for rain is in place from 12 pm on Friday until midnight on Saturday, covering most of Wales and the south west of England, plus a swathe of the north stretching from Birmingham to Carlisle.
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Temporary flood barriers put up in Cheshire
The Environment Agency has put up temporary flood barriers in Northwich, Cheshire, in preparation for heavy rain set to hit region over the next few days.
Flood warning in place on Dorset coast
Flooding is expected in Lymme Regis Harbor on the Dorset Coast with immediate action required, the Environment agency said.
Waves and spray are expected to overtop sea defences as a result of spring tides and strong winds just before 6am on Saturday morning.
Met Office warns of heavy rain during evening rush hour
The Met Office has warned of downpours across England and Wales and heavy showers in Scotland during the evening rush hour.
First snow of season could hit higher ground
Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said that chillier weather can be expected this weekend, with the first widespread frost of the year anticipated.
She said: “We’ve also got some polar maritime air moving in across the country, so where this warmer air that’s coming up from the south meets the colder air, you see the heaviest rain at that point.
“Because of the colder air, there’s a possibility that some of the rain may fall as snow, but only over very high ground in the north
Restrictions on Severn Bridge due to strong winds
There are restriction in place on the Severn Bridge due to strong winds, according to local media reports. The restrictions are in place in case the bridge needs to be closed quickly if the winds get worse.
Jet stream from Azzores brings heavy rain
Forecasters say that a “low-pressure system” moving from the Azores is bringing widespread rain to the UK.
Up to 120 mm rain could fall in South Wales
She said: “The areas most at risk are the areas that are within the warning areas, so you’ve got parts of Cumbria and the Pennines. There’s a warning over Wales and then there’s another warning over parts of the South West.
“We’re looking at (mm to) mm of rain quite widely, with perhaps 120 mm over higher ground for the warning in south Wales. “
Met Office issues advice to drivers
The Met office has warned drivers to take care on the roads as heavy rain sweeps the country with the potential for flooding.
The calm before the storm
Cambridgeshire saw a spectacular sunset last night before rain swept in overnight.
Houses washed away after deadly storms hit Europe
Meanwhile in Europe, several people have died and others are missing after torrential rain caused flooding across France, Spain and Italy.
Firefightes in Spain are searching for an elderly woman and her son who were staying in a prefabricated house in Vilaverd, a small town close to Barcelona, when it was washed away after the nearby river burst its banks.
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Yellow weather warning upgraded in Wales
There is a risk of flooding and transport disruption in South Wales after the Met Office escalated the yellow warning for rain across the region to amber.
Month’s worth of rain to fall in 30 hours
Some regions could face “the possibility of up to (mm of rain in (hours ”) the equivalent of a typical month’s rainfall in some regions), Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge toldThe Independent.
“There is a conveyor of cloud and rain that’s going to be bringing this rainfall more or less continually over parts of the west, especially Wales.”
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Met Office issues severe yellow and amber weather warnings for rain
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain from 12 pm on Friday until midnight on Saturday, covering most of Wales , plus a swathe of northwest England stretching from Leeds to Carlisle.
An amber weather warning for heavy rain has been issued for parts of South Wales.
Forecasters say there is a chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life in the affected areas.
Good afternoon, and welcome toThe Independent‘s rolling coverage of the floods set to hit the UK.
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