LONDON — Flood alerts have been issued across large parts of England as forecasters warned that heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds could disrupt the Bank Holiday weekend.
The Environment Agency said flooding was possible in a number of areas, while a more serious warning for Nelson in Lancashire was later removed. The Met Office also issued a yellow thunderstorm warning on Friday, saying heavy showers could cause travel disruption. Forecasters said the unsettled spell was likely to continue into the start of next week, with the worst impacts expected to come from short, intense downpours and gusty conditions.
Temperatures were expected to stay relatively mild, but the main concern was the risk of localised flooding, delays on the roads and problems on rail services.
Warnings spread across England and Wales as flooding becomes a concern
The Environment Agency had 16 flood alerts in place across England by Friday afternoon, meaning flooding was possible. Those alerts covered areas across the Midlands and into South Yorkshire.
Earlier in the day, the agency had also issued a flood warning in Nelson, Lancashire, where flooding was expected on Walverden Water. That warning was withdrawn later. The Met Office said much of England and Wales was under weather warnings for Friday, with the thunderstorm alert stretching from the Severn to the Wash and covering the Midlands, parts of north-east England as far as Teesside, and Lancashire.
Officials said the conditions could lead to flooding of a small number of homes and businesses, as well as disruption to travel on both roads and railways.
Met Office says weekend will stay unsettled with rain, showers and thunder
Forecasters described the Bank Holiday weekend as “rather unsettled”, with a band of rain expected to move north-east on Saturday before turning into heavy showers and possible thunderstorms.
The Met Office said Saturday would be the windiest day for many, especially in the south and south-west of England. On Sunday, there should be a mix of sunshine and showers, with lighter winds for most places than on Saturday. Monday is expected to bring changeable weather, with sunny spells, scattered showers and some dry periods.
Temperatures are likely to reach 20C to 22C on Saturday, then around 20C on Sunday and Monday. The Met Office said thunderstorms could bring 10mm to 20mm of rain in a short time in some places, and 30mm to 40mm where repeated downpours develop.
Festivalgoers and rail passengers warned as storms threaten disruption
People heading to major music festivals were advised to prepare for windy conditions, with Reading and Leeds, Creamfields and other live events among those likely to feel the effects of the weather.
National Rail said services were disrupted near Knebworth towards London on Friday because flood water made the railway potentially unsafe. The Met Office warned that lightning could damage buildings and structures, while brief power cuts were also possible.
The agency said road and rail travel was likely to be affected by the combination of heavy rain, lightning and strong winds. In England, the wider dry spell has also left 71.3% of the country in drought, according to the Environment Agency after a National Drought Group meeting on Thursday. The agency said August had so far brought only 34% of the expected rainfall.
Filey in North Yorkshire recorded the highest rainfall, with 55mm between 8pm on Thursday and 7am on Friday, according to the Met Office.
Dry summer gives way to heavy downpours after record heat
The wet spell follows a summer in which hot weather and very dry ground have repeatedly affected conditions across the UK. The Met Office has already said the country is on course for its hottest summer on record after five heatwaves, with temperatures reaching 38.1C in London.
That prolonged heat has left soils and waterways under pressure, adding to the concern around sudden bursts of heavy rain. Forecasters said the current weather pattern is part of a broader run of unsettled conditions that could continue into the start of next week.
While the rainfall may bring some short-term relief in the driest areas, officials have warned that it is arriving unevenly and too quickly in some places to prevent local flooding and travel disruption.
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