UK weather forecast: Met Office warns of danger to life as more flooding and heavy rain hits country

Megan White10 June 2019

Forecasters have warned of danger to life and disruption to major roads and transport as more heavy rain hits the UK.

The Met Office issued an amber weather warning, after predicting that 60mm of rain could fall in less than six hours on Monday afternoon.

Experts said flooding and transport disruption was likely from 3pm, with homes and businesses "likely to be flooded" and the possibility of power cuts.

They also warned of fast flowing floodwater posing a "danger to life."

Heavy downpours swept across the UK last night, soaking London and the south east.

Kent was hardest hit overnight, with 0.6in (15mm) of rain falling in 12 hours in Sellindge – a quarter of June’s average total rainfall.

Forecasters initially gave a yellow weather warning but upgraded it to amber on Monday morning.

Tourists use umbrellas as they look around Bath Abbey churchyard during a downpour in the centre of Bath
PA

Forecaster Steven Keates warned that heavier and more persistent rain is likely to hit southern and eastern England on Monday afternoon.

Heavy rain will then push north and eastwards up the country, with up to 80mm possible across high ground in the northeast by Wednesday.

A yellow severe weather warning for rain remains in place until Thursday, when affected areas could see local flooding and disruption to transport.

From midnight on Tuesday, another warning for rain has been issued affecting parts of eastern England and extending north-east.

Another warning is in place across the Midlands and north-east of England from midnight on Wednesday to midday on Thursday.

Mr Keates said the northern Home Counties, East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Humber could also see torrential rain.

He added: "The rain started to push in overnight as expected but nothing particularly heavy so far.

"The heaviest and most persistent rain is still to come.

Rain clouds over Whitley bay beach
PA

"Probably later this afternoon into this evening and tonight we could see some of the heaviest rain.

"It is going to be more the persistence of the rain in some places and the intensity for others.

"Eastern and southern England in particular are likely to be seeing long and persistent bad weather.

"Some places could see a month's worth of rain in two or three days, and we could see some flooding issues."

A car is driven through a large puddle in Hale Green, Birmingham as the weather across the UK changes with the arrival of Storm Miguel
PA

The Environment Agency has one flood alert on the River Ravensbourne in London covering the boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley, Greenwich and Croydon.

It said there was a risk of flooding for low-lying land, gardens and roads that are close to the river between 7am and 6pm.

The EA added: "We are actively monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond if required.

"Please avoid using low-lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low-lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded."

A man is reflected in the wet pavement outside the Old Bailey, London following a rain shower
PA

The band of rain will move slightly north and west before settling, with Northern Ireland and Scotland expected to see the best of the weather.

Weather warnings are in place for the whole of Tuesday and up until midday on both Wednesday and Thursday for north-eastern England down to the Wash and as far west as the West Midlands.

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