Today’s Flood Guidance Statement (FGS) details the flood risk across NW England through today and throughout the weekend. This stands at Amber (Medium) for all of the region except Cumbria where the FGS has stayed Yellow, based upon considerations of the likely impact of the rainfall upon the river network and of surface water impacts. The full guidance can be read by clicking on the map.Today’s update of the Met Office’s Amber Warning for rain can be found here.
Latest forecast information to hand confirms the wettest locations liable to be inland parts of north Lancashire along with south Cumbria, especially the SW quadrant of the county. The broad belt of persistent rain is expected to begin edging slowly away northwards this afternoon with Cheshire (especially south of Chester) the least affected part of the region. Borderline as to whether the more persistent and heavier rain will be clearing the Blackpool area by early evening but no change to the strong/gale force winds forecast for exposed sections of the coastline this afternoon/evening.
Surface water now beginning to impact upon some of the region’s roads according to BBC travel news website – situation liable to deteriorate further through this afternoon.
Looking ahead into the weekend period - additional severe weather Alerts/Warnings have been issued for various parts of the region as follows;
SATURDAY:
A Yellow Warning for rain has been issued for much of Cumbria, covering the period 0000 to 0900 tomorrow. This is to allow for additional rainfall affecting the county beyond midnight tonight.
SUNDAY:
A Yellow Alert for rain has been issued for an area including Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire, covering the period 0000 to 1500 on Sunday. This is tied to the next weather system (briefly mentioned in an earlier communication) that is set to bring further rain across the region on Saturday evening/night.
Both the above warnings will be subject to ongoing review and can be accessed on the Met Office website at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/
Kind regards,
Alan
Alan Goodman; Met Office Advisor (Civil Contingencies)
www.metoffice.gov.uk
