UK weather warnings for rain and wind spark flooding and travel disruption fears

Weather warnings in place across the UK have led to warnings about flash flooding, strong waves and travel disruption.

The remnants of Hurricane Ernesto have put a bit of a dampener on our recent run of hot, sunny weather, with yellow weather warnings for wind and rain put in place yesterday.

Those remnants play a ‘background role’ in some of the rainfall we’ll see today, the Met Office says, even though Ernesto’s bulk will have dissipated by the time it reaches the UK.

Those yellow warnings will still be in force into mid-morning today, which has the potential to cause disruption during rush hour.

There is a yellow warning for rain covering most of western Scotland until 8am.

Meanwhile, a yellow wind warning is in place until 9am which covers much of southern Scotland and north-west England.

The Met Office says the westerly airflow and strengthened jet stream is the cause of this unpleasant weather, which could cause ‘travel disruption and dangerous conditions near coastal areas’.

Gusts of 50mph are likely fairly widely, with some gusts of 60mph in exposed locations, including roads and bridges in north Wales, as well as roads passing over high ground in northern England and southern Scotland, the forecaster said.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said yesterday: ‘A band of rain will move in from the west on Wednesday morning and will become slow moving with heavy bursts of rain at times, especially over high ground in Scotland.

‘This rain will persist into Thursday for many within the warning area, with 75-100mm likely quite widely, with higher accumulations possible over the higher ground.  

‘Gusty winds will accompany the rain, with 50-60mph possible near Irish Sea coasts and the west of Scotland.

‘Coupled with spring tides, this could lead to some dangerous coastal conditions before winds gradually ease later on Thursday.’

Those bands of rain will gradually weaken as they move in a southeasterly direction throughout today – but conditions are expected to remain unsettled throughout Thursday, with cloud and scattered showers for many.

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