UK weather forecast: A month's worth of rain could fall in 24 hours as ‘persistent’ downpours expected

Heavy rain is set to continue to hit the UK this weekend, accompanied by extreme winds and a drop in temperatures (Photo: Shutterstock)Heavy rain is set to continue to hit the UK this weekend, accompanied by extreme winds and a drop in temperatures (Photo: Shutterstock)
Heavy rain is set to continue to hit the UK this weekend, accompanied by extreme winds and a drop in temperatures (Photo: Shutterstock)

Heavy rain is set to continue to hit the UK this weekend, accompanied by extreme winds and a drop in temperatures.

A multitude of flood warnings and Met Office weather warnings are currently in place, with forecasters predicting the potential for a month's worth of rain to fall over a 24-hour England, saying forecasters.

Wake of Storm Dennis

Last weekend saw Storm Dennis bring wet and windy weather to the UK, just a week after Storm Ciara struck the previous weekend.

The ground in many parts of the UK is still saturated from torrential rain, with further downpours forecast for this weekend.

"In the worst case scenario, we could see a month's worth of rain," the Met Office's Craig Snell told the BBC.

This weekend’s weather

The Met Office UK outlook for Thursday 20 February forecasts, "Rain, some heavy, moving east along with squally winds, followed by colder conditions with sunny intervals and scattered showers.

“Showers possibly heavy with hail and falling as snow at times in the north and over hills further south.

"Wintry showers easing leaving clear spells and a touch of frost in places, but further wet and windy weather following across northern areas."

Friday 21 February will be a windy day with gales in places, notably in northern England with some gusts of 60-70 mph.

It will be mainly dry and bright in the south, but rain is forecast further north, particularly over hills.

"Through the weekend very strong winds, sunny spells and wintry showers will affect the north, patchy rain will affect the south.adds the Met Office,“ adds the Met Office. “Further rain and strong winds spread east through Monday.”

Flood warnings currently in place

England

River Lugg at Hampton BishopRiver Severn at New Street, Upton upon SevernRiver Severn at the Wharfage, IronbridgeRiver Severn at UckinghallRiver Severn at Waterside, Upton upon SevernRiver Wye at Hampton Bishop

Scotland

Moy BridgeUpper TayPitlochry to BallinluigLogierait to Jubilee BridgeInnerpeffray to Bridge of EarnCrieff to InnerpeffrayCarse of Lennoch to LochlaneBallinluig to Logierait

Wales

Lower Dee Valley from Llangollen to Trevalyn Meadows. Location: Isolated properties and extensive areas of agricultural land in the Lower Dee flood plain.

Weather warnings in place

A yellow Met Office weather warning for rain is in place from 6am to 9pm on Friday 21 February, covering Central, Tayside & Fife, Highlands & Eilean Siar, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, and Strathclyde.

The Met Office said: “Persistent and sometimes heavy rain is expected across the western and central Highlands along with southern Scotland on Friday.”

“Accumulations of 30 to 40 mm are likely on high ground with peaks of 60 mm across the southern and central Highlands.”A yellow warning is also in place for rain from 6am to 9pm on Friday for Northern Ireland.

A yellow weather warning for wind is in place from 8am until 8pm on Friday, covering North East England, South West Scotland, Lothian Borders, and Yorkshire & Humber.

The Met Office said: “Strong and gusty west to southwesterly winds are expected across northeast England and parts of southeast Scotland during Friday with gusts of 55-65 mph in places.”

A yellow warning for rain is also in place from 12pm on Friday 21 February until 6am on Saturday 22 February, covering Yorkshire & Humber.

The Met Office said: “20-30 mm is likely to fall widely over higher ground with the potential for 60-80 mm in a few places. Given the recent wet conditions this brings a chance of flooding.”

A Met Office yellow weather warning for wind for Scotland is also in place from 6am to 10pm on Saturday 22 February.

The Met Office said, “Strong, gusty winds are expected across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England during Saturday.

“The strongest winds will likely occur in the vicinity of heavy, squally showers. Whilst not all areas will see the strongest winds, gusts of 55-65 mph are expected in places.

“Exposed parts of northern and western Scotland may see gusts of 65-75 mph. Showers will fall as a mixture of rain, hail and sleet with snow accumulations expected to be restricted to higher ground (above 200 to 300m). Winds will gradually moderate during Saturday evening.”

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