Storm Claudia to batter Britain with month’s worth of rain in 24 hours

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for rain in southern and central parts of England and Wales, with up to 150mm of rain expected to fall in the worst impacted areas

A fresh storm is poised to batter the UK with heavy downpours this weekend after a series of weather warnings. Storm Claudia, christened by the Spanish Meteorological Service due to continuing effects in the Canary Islands, has triggered amber rain warnings across southern and central England and Wales.

Whilst Scotland isn’t currently expected to feel Claudia’s wrath on Friday and Saturday (November 15 and 16), Scots should still prepare for wet conditions, with a yellow alert remaining until 7pm today (November 13).

The Met Office warns that a whopping 150mm of rain could build up in the hardest-hit regions, with 60-80mm forecast more broadly. Residents in the south are being advised to expect travel chaos and remain vigilant about flooding risks.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall to a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales on Friday into Saturday. This rain will become slow moving, and some areas could see up to a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours”, reports the Daily Record.

“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 areas, some could see in excess of 150mm accumulate during the event, with 60-80mm fairly widely. Gusty winds in the northwest of England and northwest Wales is an additional hazard, with 60-70mph gusts possible in exposed places within the warning area.”

Unlike many named storms, Claudia won’t sweep directly across the UK, although it’s behind the torrential downpours hitting on Friday and continuing into Saturday.

The weather system will largely hold its ground to the west of Britain, though the related fronts are set to weaken throughout Saturday.

Turning to Scotland, whilst conditions might not prove as harsh as those further south, clear blue skies aren’t on the cards for us either.

Scotland’s yellow rain warning has been prolonged until 7pm this evening, encompassing regions including the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh, Stirling and beyond.

Rainfall of up to 25mm per hour is anticipated, with the most severely affected areas potentially seeing as much as 50mm.

Additionally, weather charts show precipitation across much of the Central Belt throughout the day.

Nevertheless, it seems Scotland will enjoy some relief from the soggy conditions whilst Storm Claudia causes chaos elsewhere.

The Met Office’s Friday forecast suggests Scotland can anticipate a “colder day” featuring some bright intervals and scattered showers.

Come Saturday, “colder but clearer conditions” are forecast for the north, with a “cold and bright start for many” expected next Monday.