UK weather – live: Met Office issues flooding warning with heavy rain to hit England tonight

There are over 400 of flood warnings and alerts in place across Britain

Related: Waves crash over runway at Shetland’s Sumburgh airport as 85mph winds batter UK

Further yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office, as heavy rain is set to hit large parts of the UK on Saturday evening.

The forecaster expects the weather to impact Newcastle and East Anglia along England’s east coast, with a warning in place from 7pm until midday on Sunday.

Another fresh yellow warning for rain for Cornwall, as well as parts of Devon and Somerset, is due to come into effect at 6pm and last until 6am tomorrow morning.

This comes after an Artic blast wreaked chaos across the UK, with schools closing in north Wales and the Peak District due to snow, ice and sleet.

About 10cm of snow was measured by the Met Office in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, on Thursday, while 9cm was recorded in West Yorkshire.

It comes as heavy rain continues to fall across the country triggering hundreds of flood warnings and alerts across Britain.

As of midday on Saturday, a total of 76 flood warnings and 275 lower level flood alerts are in place for England as heavy rain is set to hit this evening.

Key Points

• Almost 400 flood alerts and warnings in England
• Chance of power cuts and travel chaos
• Snow and ice weather warnings in force today
• Flooding causes travel chaos

[9 February 2024 15:00 · Athena Stavrou]

Weekend weather forecast

Today:

Wintry showers continuing in the far north, with a band of rain and mainly hill snow across central areas moving northwards through the day. Cloudier in the south with some showers, these locally heavy. Mild in the south, colder elsewhere.

Tonight:

Rain and hill snow persisting across north and east Scotland. Elsewhere, patchy cloudy with some showers or longer spells of rain. Fog patches may develop underneath the clearest spells.

Saturday:

Rain and some snow persisting in the far north, mostly over higher ground. Occasional brighter interludes in the south once any fog clears, with showers, these mostly in the west.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Often cloudy through the period with showers or longer spells of rain. Some bright or sunny intervals developing, most likely on Tuesday. Breezy along the coasts with temperatures around average.

[9 February 2024 15:31 · Athena Stavrou]

Melted snow triggers hundreds of flood alerts

Melted snow is contributing to the hundreds of flood warnings and alerts currently in place across England, the Environment Agency has said.

There are currently 86 flood warnings and 310 less severe flood alerts in place across England.

The alerts stretch from north to south but the majority are concentrating in the midlands and southern England.

Flood warnings mean that flooding is expected and locals are told to consider putting their flood plan in action if they have one.

“Following yesterday’s heavy rainfall and melting snow there are flood warnings and alerts across the country,” the Environment Agency said. “There is further rain today in places, please check your flood risk. It’s important you know how to prepare.”

[9 February 2024 16:00 · Athena Stavrou]

Where will see snow over the weekend?

While most of the UK will not be seeing any more wintry showers over the weekend, some spots will still be affected by a yellow weather warning for snow until Saturday afternoon.

Much of the rest of the UK are now being affected by flood warnings and alerts as they deal with the aftermath of melting snow over the weekend.

However, up in Scotland, many areas will still see snow. The areas affected are:

Central, Tayside & Fife

Angus

Perth and Kinross

Stirling

Grampian

Aberdeenshire

Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

(EPA)

[9 February 2024 17:00 · Athena Stavrou]

Scotland set for more snow as England faces flooding threat

People are being warned to expect disruption with weather warnings of snow and ice in place for much of Scotland from Friday into Saturday.

The Met Office has warned some roads and railways are likely to be affected while there is a chance of power cuts and disruption to mobile phone services.

Weather warnings of snow and rain south of the border have expired, though flood warnings and alerts remain in place throughout much of England.

Read the full article here:

[9 February 2024 18:00 · Athena Stavrou]

School children push bus through snow in Sheffield

School children were pictured having to push a bus through the streets of Sheffield yesterday as the city was blanketed in snow.

Photos posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, show a crowd of what appear to be students gathering behind a bus stuck on an icy road in the Crosspool area of the city.

Bemused social media users reacted to the picture - which was taken on Thursday and has racked up over 34,000 views - with one asking: “What in the health and safety is going here??!!”

(PA)

[9 February 2024 19:00 · Athena Stavrou]

Advice issued to elderly as snow continues

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, urged older people to do all they can to keep warm and safe as the temperature drops.

She said: “High energy bills and food prices mean it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on their health, especially if they are already managing existing illnesses.

“As we get older our bodies find it harder to adjust to big changes in temperature, particularly if we are also coping with ill health or mobility issues. The cold raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.”

The charity gave a number of tips including plenty of hot food and drinks, wrapping up warm outside and sleeping with the windows closed at night. It also advised people to keep an eye on older relatives, friends and neighbours.

(PA)

[9 February 2024 20:00 · Athena Stavrou]

Watch: This weekend’s weather forecast

As Britain comes to the end of yet another cold and wintry week - here’s what people across the nation can expect to see over the weekend, according to the Met Office:

[9 February 2024 21:00 · Athena Stavrou]

In pictured: Snow continue to falls across the nation

Heavy snow in Allenheads, Northumberland (PA)

(PA)

(PA)

[9 February 2024 22:00 · Athena Stavrou]

Where is the snowiest place in the UK?

Scotland sees the most snow in the UK, with snow or sleet falling on 38.1 days on average.

The weather station which recorded the most snowfall in the UK was the Cairngorm Chairlift, with snow falling on 76.2 days throughout the year (based on 1981-2010 averages), according to the Met Office.

Scotland is set to continue their reputation for large amounts of snowfall, as the region will continue to be hit with wintry showers until Saturday afternoon.

(PA)

[9 February 2024 23:00 · Athena Stavrou]

Weather sparks day of travel chaos

The continuation of snow, rain and flooding across the UK triggered a day of travel chaos for Britons on Friday.

National Rail said there would be a reduced service between Bristol Parkway and Swindon with trains cancelled, delayed, or diverted until at least the end of the day after flooding blocked the lines.

There was also disruption between Leeds and Harrogate following heavy rain flooding the line and several lines in Scotland have also been affected by the severe weather.

CalMac ferries were also forced to cancel several services today. According to their website, four routes were completely cancelled until the end of the day and a further ten had one or more sailings disrupted.

The company advised its passengers to check the status of routes on its website ahead of travelling.

File photo (EPA)