Heavy rain is battering Halifax and West Yorkshire today, with the Met Office issuing a yellow warning for potentially disruptive downpours that could trigger localised flooding across the region.
The heaviest rainfall is expected throughout this afternoon and evening, with some areas facing several hours of continuous downpours. Strong winds of up to 40mph in exposed areas will compound the challenging conditions, creating hazardous driving conditions and raising the risk of surface water flooding on roads.
Halifax residents are being urged to take immediate precautions. The Met Office advises checking local flood alerts, clearing drains of leaves and debris where safe to do so, and allowing extra time for journeys. Motorists should reduce speed and watch for spray and standing water, whilst temperatures hover around 8-10°C.
The warning extends beyond West Yorkshire, with parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland also experiencing similar wet and windy conditions. Wales and other areas of England are seeing mixed showers and brighter spells, but West Yorkshire remains the focal point for today's most severe weather impact.
Conditions are expected to remain challenging for the next 12 to 18 hours, with improvement forecast overnight into tomorrow morning. However, authorities warn that saturated ground and residual surface water could continue posing risks even after the main rain band passes. Emergency services are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to respond to flooding incidents.