The Met Office has issued a fresh series of severe weather warnings for ice and heavy rainfall across multiple regions of the United Kingdom, as communities continue to recover from the recent impacts of Storm Chandra.
Immediate Ice Hazard Followed by Heavy Rain
A yellow warning for ice is currently active and will remain in place until 9am on Monday. This alert has been prompted by forecast temperatures dropping below zero overnight, which is expected to create treacherous conditions. The primary risks include the formation of widespread ice on untreated roads, pavements, and other surfaces, significantly increasing the danger of slips and accidents for motorists and pedestrians alike.
Subsequent Rainfall Warning Details
Following the ice alert, a further yellow warning for heavy rain has been scheduled. This warning will be in effect from midday on Monday until 9am on Tuesday. Meteorologists are predicting substantial rainfall totals, with the most intense downpours expected over Dartmoor, where 30 to 50 millimetres of rain could accumulate.
More widely, across counties including Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, and Somerset, rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 millimetres are anticipated. This persistent and heavy rain brings with it a tangible, though small, risk of renewed flooding. The Met Office has specifically highlighted the potential for flooding of homes and businesses, alongside a danger to life from fast-flowing or deep floodwater in affected areas.
Context: Aftermath of Storm Chandra
These new warnings arrive in the direct wake of Storm Chandra, which caused significant disruption and flooding across parts of the UK last week. Initial assessments indicate that approximately 50 properties in Somerset alone were affected by the storm's impact. The unsettled weather pattern is set to continue, posing further challenges for recovery efforts and local resilience.
The consecutive nature of these warnings—first for ice and then for rain—underscores a volatile period for the nation's weather. Residents in the warned regions are urged to stay informed through official Met Office updates, exercise extreme caution while travelling, and prepare for potential localised disruption.
