Britain is set for yet another day of pandemonium amid fresh warnings of heavy rainfall and floods that are ‘more disruptive than usual’.
The Met Office has issued a yellow alert for the East Midlands and East Anglia until 4pm today, with 30-40mm of rainfall expected in some areas.
Flooding in some homes and businesses within the warning area are likely, according to the forecaster.
Some interruptions to power supplies are also likely, with bus and train services predicted to be impacted by poor weather conditions.
Spray and heavy rain could also impact motorists, by making journey times on roads lengthier.
The Environment Agency has issued 64 red flood alerts as well as 157 flood warnings across England.
There are also another five amber flood warnings issues for Wales in areas surrounding the River Alyn and Dee.
Eastern England will see clouds and gales today, with largely dry spells in other parts of the country.
North-west England, western Scotland and Northern Ireland set to ‘take the biscuit for bright blue skies’, the Met Office said.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: ‘For East Anglia, for the East Midlands and for London it’s a dreary start (to Tuesday) – a lot of low cloud, persistent damp weather and a gusty wind making it feel cool.
‘Wales, something a little brighter coming along but north-west England, western Scotland and Northern Ireland all take the biscuit for bright blue skies first thing.’
He continued: ‘It’s a real west-east contrast during Tuesday.
‘The brightest spells will be in the west and most especially the North West, whilst the Midlands, parts of northern and eastern England will be plagued by low cloud, outbreaks of rain at times and a strong wind – particularly strong around the coastal part of eastern England.
‘That’s going to make it feel cold in the east, but in the west, where we do get some sunshine and lighter winds compared with the last couple of days, highs of 15C to 17C are likely.’
The meteorologist said the UK can expect ‘more widespread fine weather’ on Wednesday which will continue through Thursday and Friday ‘before more rain at the weekend’.
Provisional statistics published by the Met Office showed that some counties in the UK experienced more than 250% of their average rainfall in September.
According to the forecaster six counties in England experienced record levels rainfall.
Reading has seen its most thundery month in decades. Thunder was recorded on seven days this September – the most in 55 years.
Only one month in Reading – May 1969 – has seen more thunderous occasions.
Dr Stephen Burt, meteorologist at the University of Reading, said: ‘Since the university began recording rainfall, back in 1901, our wettest September to date was 1974, when 145.7 mm was recorded.
‘The September average, from 1991-2020, is just under 50 mm. As of today this month’s rainfall total stood at 154 mm, making this the wettest September on our records.
‘The year-to-date total has now reached 657 mm, and has thus already exceeded our annual average rainfall (period 1991-2020) of 655 mm.
‘Since 1908, only two years have been wetter at this point – in 1928 (665 mm Jan to Sept 1908) and 1951 (664 mm in the same period).
‘Over the last 12 months, we have received 955 mm precipitation, almost half as much again as our normal rainfall – or, put another way, about 17 months worth of rainfall in the last 12.
‘Perhaps even more remarkable is that seven days this month have had ‘thunder heard’ in the Reading area, also a new September record (previously six days in September 1976).
‘Since our records of thunder-days began in 1908, only one month has ever had more days with thunder (May 1969, with 11 days), although seven days with thunder were also noted in May 1924, July 1925, June 1963 and May 1967.
‘This month’s count also exceeds the annual total in several recent years – just six days in the whole year in 2021, for example – and accordingly becomes Reading’s most thundery month in 55 years.’
This comes shortly after a lucky motorist was rescued yesterday from his nearly-submerged car in Shropshire amid dozens of flood alerts yesterday.
The driver had attempted to traverse the ford at Boreton Brook, near Candover, at around 7.30am when his car became trapped.
Dramatic photos show firefighters using ropes and pole as the muddy waters rushed through an open window and nearly fully submerged the car.
The man was rescued and taken to hospital by paramedics for precautionary checks.
The rescue mission prompted Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to remind people to be aware of the dangers of being near flood water as Britons brace.
A fire service spokesperson said: ‘Crews from Red Shrewsbury have just rescued a male from flood water in Condover, please be aware of the dangers when near flood water.’
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson added: ‘We were called by the fire service to Condover in Shrewsbury to assess a man who had been submerged in flood water.
‘He was assessed and treated by ambulance staff before being conveyed to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further precautionary checks.’
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