The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for heavy rain across numerous areas of the UK this Sunday, signalling potential disruption for residents and travellers. The warnings are primarily concentrated across parts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with forecasters highlighting the risk of localised flooding and difficult driving conditions throughout the day.
In England, regions under the yellow warning include Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, and parts of the West Midlands. These areas could experience prolonged periods of heavy rainfall, with accumulations potentially reaching 20-30mm in some locations over a few hours. The downpours are expected to begin early on Sunday morning and continue through much of the day, easing by the evening. Wind speeds are generally forecast to be moderate, around 10-15 mph, but could gust higher in exposed areas.
Wales is also significantly affected, with warnings covering much of the country, including Cardiff, Swansea, and Gwynedd. Here, the Met Office anticipates similar rainfall totals, raising concerns about surface water flooding and disruption to public transport. Northern Ireland, particularly counties Antrim and Down, is also included in the warning, with residents urged to be vigilant for challenging driving conditions and potential delays.
Scotland, in contrast, appears to largely escape the most severe rainfall warnings for Sunday, with a more settled, albeit cloudy, forecast for most regions. Temperatures across the UK are expected to remain relatively mild for the time of year, generally ranging between 9-12°C in warning areas, though the persistent rain will make conditions feel cooler.
The Met Office advises the public to prepare for potential impacts, including delays to road and rail transport, and the possibility of some homes and businesses being affected by flooding. Motorists are particularly urged to exercise caution, allow extra time for journeys, and avoid driving through floodwater, as depths can be deceptive and currents strong. Checking local flood alerts from the Environment Agency in England, Natural Resources Wales, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is also recommended.
This period of unsettled weather follows a generally mixed week across the UK, with varying conditions from sunshine to showers. The current forecast suggests a continuation of this changeable pattern into early next week, with further bands of rain possible, though perhaps less intense than Sunday's predicted downpours.
Source: Met Office