As the UK heads into the weekend, a weather warning for wind has been issued following a period of heavy rain and flooding across parts of England. Commuters have been facing disruptions on road and rail services due to the recent downpours.
The Met Office had issued an amber rain warning for areas in the Midlands and southern regions, along with a yellow rain warning for larger parts of England and Wales, both of which have now ended. Some counties in central and southern England have experienced rainfall exceeding 250% of their average for September already.
Temperatures are set to drop on Friday night, leading to widespread frost on Saturday morning as a northerly airflow moves in. Despite drier conditions on Saturday, there will still be showers along northern and eastern coasts drifting inland at times.
Sunday is expected to start off dry, but wind and rain will return from the South West. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind in south-west England and parts of Wales, with gusts reaching 50-55mph and potential for higher speeds in exposed areas.
The strong winds will be accompanied by heavy outbreaks of rain, leading to surface water and spray on roads. Coastal routes and communities can expect large waves and spray, causing delays and disruptions to various modes of transportation.
Floods have affected areas in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and surrounding counties, with the Environment Agency reporting around 8,200 properties protected and approximately 650 properties flooded. Flash floods hit regions like Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, and Cambridgeshire earlier in the week, resulting in cancellations of rail services and road closures.
The SEAH Stadium in Wellington faced flooding, impacting Telford United's football pitch, while rail services between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton were canceled due to severe flooding at Wellington station. The M5 in Gloucestershire experienced closures and delays due to flooding, with efforts ongoing to rescue stranded individuals.
As the weather system moves through the UK, coastal areas and transportation networks are advised to remain vigilant and prepare for potential disruptions throughout the weekend.