Parts of Britain deluged by recent storms were today braced for more flooding after a ‘danger to life’ warning was issued because of yet more heavy rain.
Up to four inches (100mm) of rain is expected in less than 24 hours, with two inches (50mm) having already fallen in parts of Wales overnight where Ceredigion and Powys are under an amber weather warning until 10am today.
Yellow weather warnings were also issued until noon for central Wales, North West England, the Pennines and Peak District, with the Met Office warning ‘fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life’.
The Environment Agency said there could be ‘significant flooding’ along the Ouse and Aire in Yorkshire, along with ‘localised flooding’ in the Severn and Wye estuaries, and possibly on the Mersey estuary and the Yorkshire coast.
But many parts of England were hoping to enjoy temperatures warmer than Nice in France today, with the mercury rising as high as 17C (63F) in East Anglia thanks to a southwesterly airflow originating from the Azores.
Areas of Wales already hit by flooding in February, including Builth Wells and Newtown, were among those expected to be worst hit by the heavy rain today, with flooding likely to cause damage to homes and businesses.
In its amber warning today, the Met Office said: ‘Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings. Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life.
‘Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely, while spray and flooding will probably lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.’
Within the amber warning area, forecasters said there was ‘a good chance some communities cut off by flooded roads’. Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses were said to be ‘likely’.
The Met Office said the rain would be ‘persistent and heavy’, with 2in to 2.8in (50mm to 70mm) of rain ‘likely to fall widely’ in upland areas and 0.8in to 1.6in (20mm to 40mm) at lower levels.
In the worst-hit areas, up to 100mm (4in) is forecast for high ground. ‘Given saturated ground and high river levels, this may be enough for some flooding and disruption,’ the warning added.
Affected areas include the upland sources of the River Severn and rivers in Yorkshire, which flooded dramatically in the wake of storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge last month.
Some 26 flood warnings and 161 flood alerts remained in force, including on stretches of the Severn and Wye, and the Aire, Ouse and Ure in Yorkshire.
Warnings in force including on the River Aire at Snaith Ings, East Yorkshire, near where 120 homes were flooded recently. Temporary flood barriers were also still in place along the Severn at Bewdley in Worcestershire.
The Environment Agency has urged communities in the north and west of England and those living along coasts and estuaries to check their flood risk due to heavy rain and high tides.
A spokesman said: ‘Heavy rain falling across already wet catchments may lead to significant flooding for some places along rivers in the north of England and the West Midlands, including the Ouse and Aire in Yorkshire.
‘Significant surface water flooding is also possible across parts of the West Midlands and the north of England into Tuesday. This is due to further heavy rain falling on already saturated ground.
‘Localised coastal flooding is likely in the Severn estuary and in the Wye estuary (and) also possible on the Mersey estuary and on the Yorkshire coast.’
The Environment Agency said its response includes continued use of 30 pumps on the lower River Aire, to remove floodwater in Snaith.
In Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire, which flooded during Storm Ciara, an additional 65 metres (213ft) of temporary barriers have been installed to bolster the town’s defences.
Nearly 5,000 homes and businesses were affected by the floods from Storms Ciara and Dennis alone, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Gales are also expected to accompany the forecast heavy rain, with gusts of up to 50 mph on exposed coasts and hills in the south and west of the country.
But it is set to turn very mild for a time today, with temperatures reaching 16C (61F) in southern and eastern areas – on a par with Barcelona, Spain, and warmer than Nice, on the Côte D’Azur, where 15C (57F) is expected.
Met Office forecaster Nicola Maxey said: ‘Tuesday will be the warmer day of the week with temperatures possibly reaching 16C (60.8F) in some isolated spots. We are looking at a southwesterly airflow originating from the Azores.
‘There will be some showers and it turns cooler through the week and then less cold at the weekend. There may be a risk of ice and snow showers in the north between Wednesday and Thursday.’
Sunshine and showers are set arrive in the wake of the deluge, when it is likely to turn chillier from tomorrow onwards, with the chance of wintry showers over northern hills.
Marco Petagna, Met Office spokesman, said: ‘It is likely to be an unsettled week, with the most persistent rain on Monday into Tuesday.
‘If some of the showers forecast for later in the week merge into longer spells of rain, there is potential for further warnings to be issued, given the saturated state of the ground.
‘Strong winds are expected with the heavy rain, with gales on exposed hills and coasts in the south and along the west coast.
‘On Thursday, there could be further severe gales of up to 60mph in Northern Ireland, Scotland and into North West England.’
But Mr Petagna said there could finally be some good news in the coming weeks.
‘Our 30-day forecast suggests there are hints of things becoming a bit drier with mild days and temperatures into the mid-teens (Celsius). However, frosts are still possible at night,’ he said.
The Met Office predicts further spells of wet and windy weather for the next week but ‘more settled conditions with longer periods of drier and brighter weather’ could arrive for the second half of the month and into April.
However, unsettled conditions are likely to persist in the west and north.