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Great Britain faces a devastating weekend with Storm Alex bringing gales and heavy downpours today, followed by up to five inches of rain tomorrow and Sunday.
More than a month of rain could fall in some places during the three days, as more warnings were issued after the incoming low-pressure system was declared the first named storm of the fall.
It has been named Storm Alex by French meteorologists Meteo-France as it originated on the continent. The storm would have been named Aiden had it been named for UK and Irish meteorologists.
A maximum wind gust of 115 mph was recorded in Britain last night as Storm Alex washed ashore over northwestern France, which coincides with the UK’s maximum gust for the Great Storm of 1987, although the French record was 138 mph.
Today’s weather advisory covers the southern counties of England from Cornwall to Kent, as well as South Wales and Herefordshire between 3 a.m. M. And 8 p.m. M. At 8 am today, Alex was near Alderney Channel Island.
Up to two inches of rain could fall, while hurricane force winds are scheduled to hit 65 mph on exposed coasts and 55 mph inland. The Met Office warns of flooding and ‘dangerous’ driving conditions due to splashes and high winds.
In the wake of the storm, a second system is expected to bring more heavy rains over the weekend. This has triggered a second set of weather warnings covering almost all of England, all of Wales and the east side of Scotland.
Warnings last from 3 a.m. M. In the morning until 6 p.m. Sunday, and include a ‘life threatening’ alert due to the possibility of ‘deep or fast flowing floods’.
“There is a small possibility that some communities will be isolated,” says the Met Office. She also said there is also the risk of landslides and “very difficult driving conditions.”
Bonnie Diamond, a Met Office spokeswoman, said: ‘Unusually, the weather system moving on Saturday is coming from the east, rather than the southwest.
It means that the eastern counties, which are often the most protected, will suffer the brunt of the system. During the weekend, some places could see more rainfall than the average for all of October. ‘
The wettest conditions are expected to be in eastern Scotland, but very heavy rains are also expected in the highlands of Wales and south-west England.
Heavy rains hit southern England this morning (left) along with strong winds, especially off the coast (right)
Between 100-125 mm (4-5 inches) of rain is expected in the worst affected places, with one to two inches elsewhere. Normal average rainfall throughout October is 127.1 mm (5 inches) in the UK and 91.7 mm (3.8 inches) in England.
The most significant rain is expected tomorrow before it gets rainier on Sunday, but some places could still see heavy downpours.
Meteorological Office chief meteorologist Steve Ramsdale described the forecast as a “ miserable end to the work week ” and warned of gales before another swath of wet weather arrives for larger parts of the country.
He added: ‘As the strong winds and rain associated with Storm Alex drift away from Britain later on Friday, another low pressure system is moving towards the UK from the east, bringing more very heavy rain. and strong winds for many over the weekend. ”
The Met Office’s concerns were echoed by the Environment Agency, which said: ‘Heavy rains will bring the potential for surface water flooding and perhaps some river flooding in southern England on Friday.
“The more widespread and persistent heavy rains across much of England will bring the possibility of further flooding of rivers and surface waters over the weekend.
“ We urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water, it is often deeper than it appears and just 12 inches of running water is enough to float your car. ”
Miss Diamond added: ‘Monday should be a little less restless and windy. There is still a chance of rain, but it certainly won’t be that wet. The time is not scheduled to be resolved until next week.
And RAC breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: “ Heavy rain will make road conditions miserable, if not downright dangerous, for drivers this weekend, and they will need to be prepared for a nasty mix of Surface dew, gusty winds, and most likely some road disruptions.
Flooding is also a possibility, so drivers should remember to never attempt to drive through water unless they are sure it is shallow enough. For drivers who are unlucky enough to break down in the horrible conditions, our patrols will work around the clock to get them moving again. ‘
Looking ahead, the Met Office said unstable weather is forecast to continue into the middle of the month.
His forecast reads: ‘There is likely to be an unstable outlook for this period, with all parts of the country seeing episodes of rain, as well as longer periods of rain.
‘The southern and western areas are expected to experience the worst conditions with the most frequent and heavy rains. Drier and calmer conditions can sometimes be observed, but probably only for short intervals.
‘Very windy in most of the country during this period, with the risk of gales at times, particularly along the west and south-west coasts. In general, you will probably feel quite cold. ‘
A drier period, with the possibility of sunny days but fog and frost at night, is not expected until the second half of next month.
