UK weather: Met Office warns almost 8 INCHES of rain to hit in rare ‘danger to life’ amber alert with fears of flooding
THE Met Office has warned that almost eight inches of rain will fall in a rare amber alert – with fears of power cuts and flooding in parts of the UK.
A “prolonged spell” of heavy rain will soak western Scotland and the Highlands tomorrow, with the amber warning in place all day.
The downpour is likely to cause travel chaos, with flooding expected on roads and train tracks.
In a tweet, the Met office warned 200mm – almost 8 inches – of rain was expected to fall on west-facing hills in northern Scotland tomorrow.
They added: “Potential for shallow landslides and debris flows.”
And the amber alert – in place from midnight tonight to Sunday 11.59pm, warns: “Persistent, heavy rain is likely to cause significant travel disruption and flooding.”
The Met warning adds: “There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.
“Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
“Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life.
“Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.
“A good chance some communities will be cut off by blocked roads
“There is also a chance of power cuts and fast-flowing or deep floods posing a danger to life.”
Around 7.9 inches of rain could fall on west-facing hills, with 6 inches the norm elsewhere.
Forecasters warned that the rain could trigger landslides and debris flows in the southern Highlands and Argyll.
RAIN OUTLOOK
The rest of the UK will have a largely dry and mild weekend, with no other warnings in place.
Met Office expert Matthew Lehnert said: “This weekend will be mild across the UK with high pressure in the south maintaining a settled theme.
“However, a slow-moving front will bring a spell of heavy rain to northwest Scotland.
“Into early next week, this weather front will move slowly south and bring some rain to the remainder of the UK.
“As the front clears south, temperatures will return to near average.
“It will remain changeable through midweek, with the best of any prolonged drier spells in the south and east.”
Next week will be broadly mild with some brighter spells in the south east.
It will turn wetter and windier in the days before Christmas – with a sprinkling of snow possible in the north.