Full list of UK schools closed today as Storm Chandra brings ‘extensive’ flooding and ice warnings

A string of weather warnings in place across UK as Met Office warns of disruption

A handful of schools across the UK remain closed in the aftermath of Storm Chandra, which caused transport disruption and nearly 100 flood warnings.

Two schools remain closed in Dorset and another remains closed in Somerset due to the adverse weather. While over 350 schools in Northern Ireland had been closed to pupils for the last two days, local councils have confirmed they are all open on Thursday.

A yellow rain alert is in place from 12pm on Thursday until 3am on Friday for parts of south-east England and south-west England.

A separate yellow warning for Northern Ireland on Friday is forecast to bring “spells of heavy rain leading to some transport disruption and flooding in places”.

On Thursday morning, there were 76 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, and 180 flood alerts, where it is possible, across England.

Here are the schools closed on Thursday:

Dorset

• Hampreston CE VA First School - Wimborne
• Milborne St Andrew First School - Blandford

Somerset

• Cheddon Fitzpaine Church School - Taunton

In a statement on Somerset Council, the school said that recent bad weather had caused flooding in the premises, and would remain closed until 2 February.

The Met Office said a band of rain would arrive across Cornwall on Thursday afternoon, then move northeast across the south west of England before clearing early on Friday.

“The rain is only likely to last for a few hours in any one location but will be heavy at times,” a spokesperson said.

“A further 10-15 mm of rain is expected fairly widely, but some locations, most likely in the south of the area, could see 20-25 mm.

“The likelihood of impacts from these rainfall amounts is higher than normal due to saturated ground and ongoing flooding following Storm Chandra.”

A severe flood warning, meaning a danger to life, remained in place for the Lower Stour at Iford Bridge Home Park, where residents were told to evacuate their properties “as soon as possible”.

In Somerset, the council has warned that the risk of flooding on the Somerset Levels and Moors “remains high as rainwater moves through the system”.

National Rail has also warned that disruption is expected until Friday, with trains cancelled across Devon, including to Exeter St Davids, while speed restrictions are also in place across Scotland.

Matthew Lehnert, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said: “On Thursday, showers in southwest England will be replaced by a more organised area of rain when the next system reaches the south of Cornwall around Thursday lunchtime. There’s a Yellow Warning for rain in place from noon until Friday morning, with the focus for heavier rain across southwest England as the wet conditions spread northeast across the warning area.

“The rain is only likely to last for a few hours in each location but will be heavy at times. 10 to 15 mm is likely quite widely, but in some areas, particularly towards the south coast, a further 20 to 25 mm is possible. This rain will fall onto already saturated ground, compounding the impacts of Storm Chandra, so we’re encouraging people to stay up to date with the latest forecast and follow any advice from the emergency services and local authorities.”

Here’s the Met Office’s five-day forecast for the UK:

Today

Fog will gradually become confined to hills, though it will be a rather cloudy day overall. Patchy rain and hill snow affecting the northeast, whilst the far west and southwest will be breezy with showers, replaced by heavy rain later.

Tonight

Rather cloudy with some rain and hill snow in the north. Further wet and breezy weather towards the southwest moving northeastwards overnight. Turning clearer and showery in the southwest later.

Friday

Friday looks rather cloudy and breezy with rain moving northwards, giving snow over some northern hills. Briefly brighter in the south, though heavier rain and especially brisk winds developing here.

Outlook for Saturday to Sunday:

Remaining unsettled over the weekend and to start next week. Showers or longer spells of rain affecting most areas, coupled with brisk winds at times. Further snow on northern hills.