UK weather forecast – Brits face THUNDERSNOW as 95 flood warnings issued after month’s rain falls in hours
BRITS have been warned to batten down the hatches as thundersnow blasts across parts of the UK and 95 flood warnings were issued across the country.
Rain and sleet yesterday brought a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours in some regions in Wales and the Midlands with flood defence teams on high alert.
Homes in parts of Wales were flooded yesterday as the blustery conditions blew showers “heavy and thundery with hail and sleet” across the Wales and northern Scotland.
The heaviest rain fell in Capel Curig in Caernarfonshire, Wales, which saw 5.4ins fall in just 24 hours – a months’ worth of rain.
John Hammond, chief meteorologist for Weathertrending, told The Sun Online that areas in the North West, from Cumbria to Greater Manchester and the Peak District to Northern Ireland and North West Scotland would be prone to snow showers by tomorrow.
He said: “In these areas, high ground could see a few centimetres at first in the morning, but at low levels some places could wake up to a slushy covering from any of the heavier showers.
“Thunder may accompany the showers. So yes, ‘thundersnow’ is possible at first in these places.”
He added: “Through the daytime, the showers will become scattered more widely across the UK, but will tend to turn mostly to rain or sleet.
“Any snow cover will tend to melt, except on the highest ground. However, almost anywhere could see a brief covering from a hail shower, and again thunder is possible.”
It comes after one hundred snowplouts and 1,000 gritters were put on standby yesterday for icy conditions.
Thirty flood warnings across the East Midlands and Wales are today in place, with residents warned “immediate action” is required.
Possible flooding alerts have also been issued for 47 areas, including the West Midlands and South West England. Another 79 flood warnings have been removed in the last 24 hours as emergency services work to help those affected.
Authorities in Wales have issued five flood warnings and another 13 alerts.
An Environment Agency spokesperson warned: “With river levels remaining high in northern England and the Midlands today our teams are out operating flood defences and are ready to assist any affected communities.”
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services have already been called in to rescue vehicles trapped in flood waters.
And flooding across parts of the Northern rail network have seen services partly suspended.
The flooding has caused devastation for businesses, including National Trust owned Tu Hwnt i’r Bont Tearoom, which is now standing in 3 ft of water.
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Winds also caused havoc in areas, with an oak tree blown into a home in Bewbush, near Crawley, West Sussex yesterday.
A man suffered a head injury in the incident.
Forecasters recorded the strongest gusts in Lake Vyrnwy, Wales – with the wind reaching speeds of 73mph.
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In good news, the Met Office has forecast a “cold but sunny” start for most from tomorrow.
Cloud will gradually build from the west, with showers developing in places until Tuesday.
Conditions into the rest of the week after expected to become warmer for most.