As conditions worsen across the UK, a cold weather alert has been issued and flood warnings are in place in England and Wales.
As conditions worsen across the UK, a cold weather alert has been issued and flood warnings are in place in England and Wales. The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow cold weather alert for vulnerable and elderly individuals from 9am on Saturday until midday on Friday 12 January. Temperatures are expected to be a few degrees below average, especially overnight, and ice may form on wet ground.
The Environment Agency has issued 244 flood warnings where flooding is expected in England. This number has decreased from over 300 on Friday morning. Natural Resources Wales has also issued warnings in certain areas. Additionally, there are 262 flood alerts in place across England and nine in Wales, where flooding is possible.
Data from the Environment Agency reveals that nearly every river in England has reached exceptionally high levels, with some reaching record levels. The heavy rain in Cambridgeshire has caused disruptions in train services, with rail replacement buses unable to reach certain stations. Network Rail is working on repairing damage caused by a landslip in Bedfordshire and is aiming to have affected lines reopened by early Monday. Great Western Railway has also experienced disruptions due to flooding, with a line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway expected to remain closed throughout the weekend. The line between Theale and Taunton is likely to also remain closed on Saturday, with alternative routes available.
Road closures have been implemented in and around Gloucester due to flooding, and a taxi driver was reported for traffic offences after getting stuck in floodwaters. The River Severn is expected to have reached its peak at Gloucester Docks and further upstream in Worcester on Friday evening. A slip road onto the A419 near Cirencester was also closed on Saturday morning due to flooding.
In Sheffield, firefighters were called to rescue a man who fell into the swollen River Don. The Environment Agency anticipates “significant river flooding impacts” across parts of the Midlands, specifically on the River Trent and in Gloucester. South-west England along the River Avon will also be affected, with impacts likely throughout much of England in the next five days due to saturated ground.
The weather forecast for Saturday predicts a dry day in most areas with some sunny spells, although there may be a few showers along the coast. It will feel cold, with frost and fog patches overnight. Temperatures are expected to drop to -4C in parts of rural south-west England on Saturday night and -6C in rural areas along the Welsh border. Sunday is expected to be largely dry with the continuation of cold weather for much of the next week.
The Met Office has stated that due to prevailing weather conditions characterized by high pressure, settled weather is likely. There may be clearer skies and a reduction in precipitation, although any showers that occur are likely to be wintry in nature.
