Britain is bracing for the arrival of Storm Conall, the third named storm of the season, as the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings for heavy rain and possible flooding across southern England. This comes in the wake of Storm Bert, which caused widespread flooding and chaos just days ago.
Torrential Rain is Expected Tonight
Storm Conall is forecast to bring up to two inches of rain to already flood-hit areas, particularly Sussex, Kent, and the Isle of Wight. The yellow warning is in place from 10:00 p.m. tonight (November 26) to 12:00 p.m. tomorrow (November 27).
Meteorologists predict 15mm to 40mm (0.6 to 1.6 inches) of rain across much of the warning zone, with isolated areas possibly seeing as much as 50mm (2 inches) of rain. Alongside the downpours, strong winds are expected as the storm deepens and moves across the Netherlands after leaving the UK.
Areas Affected
The warning covers the South East coast, stretching from Essex to Kent and extending westward to parts of Dorset and Devon. The rain is expected to exacerbate existing issues caused by Storm Bert, including flooded homes and businesses, disrupted transport services, and damaged infrastructure.
In particular, flood-prone areas such as the Isle of Wight, Sussex, and Kent are likely to see the heaviest rainfall and greatest risk of disruption.
Disruption Likely
The Met Office has cautioned residents to prepare for travel delays, flooded roads, and power outages. Trains and buses are expected to face disruptions, with motorists warned about spray and standing water on roads.
Recent Devastation from Storm Bert
Storm Bert, which struck the UK last weekend, left hundreds of homes underwater and caused extensive damage across Northamptonshire, South Wales, and other parts of the country. Nearly 300 flood alerts and warnings remain in place, with ongoing clean-up efforts delayed by persistent rain.
Communities like Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park near the River Nene continue to recover from severe flooding, with residents fearing the damage may not be fully repaired before Christmas.
Met Office and Government Response
Mike Silverstone, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, commented:
“We’re expecting heavy rain across southern areas tonight, particularly in the South East. Subtle changes in the storm’s development could impact its severity, but flooding and travel disruption are likely.”
Temperatures are also expected to drop, with lows reaching -6°C (21°F) in frost-prone areas. The Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, warned that while Storm Conall’s impacts should be less severe than those of Storm Bert, further flooding remains likely.
Lessons from Storm Bert
The Met Office faced criticism last week for “underestimating” the impacts of Storm Bert. In response, Simon Brown, Met Office Services Director, insisted:
“We issued 50 weather warnings last week and will continue to learn lessons to improve preparedness for future storms.
What’s Next?
With more severe weather expected, residents in affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and check updates from the Met Office and local authorities. Storm Conall’s rain is expected to clear by tomorrow afternoon, but colder, frosty conditions are likely to follow.
The Met Office advises anyone in flood-prone areas to have an emergency plan in place and avoid travelling unless necessary. Further updates will follow as the storm progresses.
