Weekend Sizzle Ends as Torrential Rain Batters UK
The scorching weekend heatwave is over – replaced by heavy downpours and flood fears across the UK. The Met Office has slapped severe weather warnings on parts of the country as relentless rain sets in today.
South-West, Wales, and Northern Ireland Braced for Deluge
Forecasters have singled out the south-west of England, south Wales, and Northern Ireland as the hotspots for the worst of the storms. Yellow weather warnings remain in place until late tomorrow night, signalling potential flooding and disruption.
Meteorologist Kathryn Chalk warned of intense rainfall, saying, “We’ve got a storm change with outbreaks of heavy rain across western parts.” She added some areas could see up to 8mm of rain per hour – that’s nearly a third of an inch flooding down fast.
Temperatures Drop as Rain Takes Over
After Sunday’s blazing sunshine, temperatures are tumbling. Chalk explained: “In the sunshine it will still feel warm, but under all the cloud and rain, temperatures will struggle to rise above 15C (59F).”
However, brighter skies might return later in the week. Chalk forecasts “sunny spells and scattered showers” with temperatures still feeling warm when the sun breaks through.
Flood Warnings and Aftermath of Sunday’s Showers
The heavy rain on Sunday caused localised flooding in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, snarling traffic and warning of what’s to come. Cornwall and Devon face an elevated flood risk until midnight, with similar concerns in Swansea and Cardiff.
Eastern Northern Ireland isn’t off the hook either, with rain warnings extending into early tomorrow morning.
From Record Heat to Heavy Rain: A Weather Whiplash
Just days ago, Britons baked in the hottest day of the year – 27.5C (81.5F) recorded in Surrey’s Chertsey and 25.3C (77.5F) in South Wales. But the dry spell has given way to one of April’s wettest spells on record.
April 2024 ranks as the wettest since 2012, with rain between March and May already exceeding long-term averages for England and Wales. A soggy spring is dampening spirits – at least until the sun makes its comeback.
