The Met Office has significantly widened a yellow weather warning for heavy rain and strong winds, set to affect large swathes of England throughout Thursday.
Expanded Warning and Forecast Details
Initially covering London and the south, the alert now extends to the Midlands, south west, and eastern regions of England. The warning is active from 9am to 10pm on Thursday 15 January 2026.
Forecasters are predicting persistent and heavy rainfall, with widespread accumulations of 20-30mm and isolated spots potentially seeing up to 50mm. Accompanying this deluge will be strong winds, with gusts potentially reaching 50mph along exposed southern and south-eastern coastlines.
Risks of Flooding and Travel Chaos
The combination of intense rainfall and already saturated ground raises the serious risk of surface water flooding. This could lead to water entering homes and businesses and causing significant disruption on the roads.
The Met Office has warned that the conditions are likely to cause travel disruption for both bus and train services across the affected regions. Drivers are urged to be prepared for difficult conditions and potential road closures.
Context of Recent Severe Weather
This latest bout of stormy weather follows closely on the heels of Storm Goretti and a major incident in Kent and Sussex. In that event, burst pipes and power cuts resulted in 30,000 properties losing their water supply, highlighting the vulnerability of infrastructure to such severe conditions.
The extension of the warning indicates a deteriorating forecast and suggests that the impacts of this weather system may be more widespread than first anticipated. Authorities are advising the public to monitor updates and plan their journeys carefully.
