Storm Claudia is poised to deliver heavy rainfall across significant regions of England and Wales, prompting the Met Office to issue upgraded weather warnings. Starting from noon on Friday, amber warnings for “persistent and heavy” rain will be in effect until the end of the day, impacting areas in Wales, the Midlands, and the south-eastern parts of England.
According to the Met Office, some locations in England could receive up to 80mm of rain, while higher ground in Wales may see between 100-150mm. This intense rainfall is expected to be compounded by strong easterly winds and thunderstorms later on Friday. Storm Claudia, named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency, has already caused heavy rain and winds in Spain and Portugal before making its way to the UK.
A separate yellow warning for rain is also in place, covering much of England from Cheshire and North Yorkshire down to the south coast. This warning will remain active for a 24-hour period beginning at 6:00 on Friday. Additionally, a warning for wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph has been issued for some western areas of the UK, in effect from noon until midnight.
The Met Office has cautioned that the severe weather conditions could lead to power outages, travel disruptions, and potential damage to buildings. Residents and travelers in central and southern England and Wales are advised to exercise caution, as heavy rain is expected to soak these regions from Friday into Saturday.
Matthew Lehnert, the Met Office chief meteorologist, highlighted that the slow-moving downpours might result in some areas receiving a month’s worth of rain within just 24 hours. He stated, “Much of this will fall on saturated ground, increasing the chances of flooding and contributing to the amber warnings we have issued.” Within the amber warning zones, some areas could see rainfall exceeding 150mm, with widespread accumulations of 60-80mm.
In addition to rainfall, gusty winds in north-west England and north-west Wales pose another hazard, with gusts of 60-70 mph possible in exposed areas. Unlike many storms, Claudia is not expected to cross the country directly but will remain positioned in the west, according to the Met Office.
The Environment Agency has warned of potential surface water and river flooding, particularly in northern England. Ben Lukey, the flood duty manager, stated, “Storm Claudia will bring heavy prolonged rainfall across parts of England, with significant surface water flooding probable across parts of central England on Friday. River flooding impacts are also possible tomorrow and into Saturday.” The agency has been coordinating with emergency services and local authorities to prepare for the storm’s arrival.
As Storm Claudia approaches, residents are reminded to stay informed about the latest weather updates and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety amid the expected severe weather conditions.
