UK weather – live: Storm Elin named as Met Office warns of flooding and heavy rain

Forecaster warns up to 80mm of rain could fall in certain parts of the country

UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

Dozens of weather warnings have been issued across the UK and Ireland as heavy rain and windy conditions threaten to disrupt the start of the weekend.

Meanwhile, Storm Elin will bring gale force winds to parts of Ireland as Met Eireann issued a range of orange warnings for wind.

The Met Office has warned that homes and businesses may experience flooding as up to 80mm of rain falls in some parts of the UK.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said a band of wind and rain will move from the south-west of the UK towards the north-east on Saturday, “bringing with it heavy rain for much of the country”.

He said: “By the afternoon most of the heavy wind and rain will have passed and it will just be showers for southern areas.

“We will also be seeing some quite strong winds in Wales, the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland, particularly coastal communities around the Irish Sea.

“We’re in for a wet and windy weekend.”

The unsettled weather will continue into Sunday and next week, with a chance of further weather warnings.

[9 December 2023 16:57 · Holly Evans]

Football games postponed because of waterlogged pitches

Saturday’s League Two games at Sutton United, Bradford City, Mansfield, Forest Green have been postponed because of waterlogged pitches.

Mansfield’s match against MK Dons was called off following an inspection by a local referee.

Persistent torrential rain has caused parts of the pitch to be covered all week.

[9 December 2023 15:51 · Holly Evans]

Latest pictures from Ireland

A person watching high waves in Doolin in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland (Niall Carson/PA Wire)

Waves crashing against the shore at Doolin in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland (Niall Carson/PA Wire)

[9 December 2023 15:01 · Holly Evans]

Mapped: Met Office’s latest severe weather warnings as UK hit by heavy rain

The UK is bracing for strong winds and more heavy rain this weekend, with the Met Office issuing new weather warnings across most of the country.

Areas near the Irish Sea are being warned they could face gusts of up to 70mph, with sustained windspeeds between 45 and 55mph forecast for the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland.

Part of the UK may also experience flooding with as much as 80mm of rain expected, the forecaster said, as yellow weather warnings were issued for Dorset and Devon, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Read more here

[9 December 2023 14:00 · Holly Evans]

Met Office meteorologist warns of 70mph winds and 40mm rain

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “Wet and windy weather is the main theme of the forecast this weekend, though there will be some drier interludes in the south on Saturday afternoon.

“Winds and rain could be disruptive at times, which has resulted in the issuing of weather warnings for both wind and rain.

“Winds could peak around 70mph on exposed Irish Sea coasts, with gusts of around 45-55mph likely quite widely in England and Wales. A further 20-30mm of rain could fall over parts of Northern Ireland, northwest England and into southwest and central Scotland, with 40mm over some high ground.”

[9 December 2023 13:25 · Holly Evans]

Storm Fergus named as second bout of bad weather to arrive on Sunday

A second weather system has been named as Storm Fergus by the Irish forecaster, which is due to sweep across the UK on Sunday. The Met Office has warned it could reintroduce some gusty winds, especially in western areas, alongside further rainfall.

The most impactful winds of the storm are expected to hit Ireland.

[9 December 2023 12:50 · Holly Evans]

Northern Ireland to face rain and flooding

In Northern Ireland, the UK Met Office released a yellow warning for rain for Antrim, Down, Tyrone and Londonderry.

Yellow warnings for rain indicate heavy rain will give a risk of localised flooding and some travel disruption on Saturday.

The Met Office also warns that strong winds may lead to some transport disruption as spray and flooding on roads may make journey times longer in affected areas.

Flooding of a few homes and businesses is also possible, along with some interruption to power supplies and other services.

[9 December 2023 11:50 · Holly Evans]

Another yellow warning issued for central part of Scotland

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for southern and central parts of Scotland, which is due to last until 10pm on Saturday.

[9 December 2023 11:21 · Holly Evans]

Storm Elin to affect Dublin, Tipperary and Donegal

Storm Elin will bring gale force winds to parts of Ireland as Met Eireann issued a range of weather warnings.

Counties Dublin, Wicklow and Donegal have been served orange warnings for wind.

It is predicted that Storm Elin will generate gale force west to north-west winds and severe gusts, causing disruption and travelling difficulties on Saturday.

Yellow wind warnings have also been issued for Clare, Tipperary, Cavan, and Monaghan.

[9 December 2023 11:06 · Holly Evans]

UK and Ireland brace for wet and windy conditions

[9 December 2023 10:50 · Holly Evans]

The winter allowances and support can you claim in cold weather

As the temperature drops, households up and down the UK are turning on their heating for the first time - but for many it will bring further financial hardship during the cost-of-living crisis.

As inflation remains high, driven by food and fuel prices, people on already-stretched household budgets are left wondering how they will pay to keep their home warm over the winter months.

They will be helped by the fall in the energy price cap on October 1, which reduced the typical household bill to £1,923, compared to £2,074 previously - however, this is still more than 50 per cent higher than pre-crisis level and will do little to help many pay their bills.

Read the full article here