Hundreds of flood warnings were in place on Friday morning, as the impact of heavy rain continued to be felt, with commuters facing ongoing travel chaos and homeowners dealing with the aftermath of flooding.
Homes across the Midlands were inundated on Thursday while parts of southern England including Gloucestershire were also submerged.
On Friday morning, a total of 302 flood warnings were in place in England, as well as 13 in Wales, with forecasters predicting showers could continue. The Environment Agency said ongoing impacts are likely across much of England over the next five days due to localised rain falling on saturated ground.
It comes after disruption caused by strong winds and rain from Storm Henk earlier in the week, leaving saturated ground saturated prone to flooding in many areas. The highest rainfall totals recorded on Thursday were 35.2mm at Otterbourne in Hampshire, with a range of 20-30mm across much of the southern counties of England.
Train companies warned that several lines remained affected by flooding, including Great Western Railway’s (GWR) lines between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, Reading and Castle Cary, and Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall, while Thameslink services were affected by a landslip at Arlesey in Bedfordshire.
The Environment Agency said ongoing impacts are likely across much of England over the next five days. Stefan Laeger, from the Environment Agency, said: “Significant surface water and river flooding impacts are possible across parts of the Midlands and the south and east of England on Thursday and Friday due to heavy localised rainfall falling on already very saturated catchments. Ongoing minor impacts are also likely across much of England over the next five days as some larger rivers slowly respond to recent and forecast rain.”
Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK.
London and the South-East
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain on Friday morning, gradually easing, with brighter spells developing in the afternoon. A corridor of low cloud and showery outbreaks of light rain is likely in the west overnight, with some clear spells elsewhere. Saturday will be largely dry with variable cloud and bright or sunny spells, especially in the west, and largely dry with variable cloud and bright or sunny spells throughout.
South-West
A day of sunny spells and scattered showers on Friday, with showers continuing through the evening, gradually easing overnight with clearer spells developing. A largely dry day on Saturday with sunny spells for most. The odd shower possible, these mainly along the coasts. Turning colder with a frost and fog patches by night. High pressure dominating on Sunday bringing generally dry weather with sunny spells, though the odd shower possible.
Midlands
A largely dry day on Friday with bright or sunny spells, though with the odd shower possible through the afternoon. Feeling colder with temperatures returning closer to average and light winds. Some showers continuing through Friday evening, then mostly dry on Saturday with sunny spells, developing more widely in the west through the afternoon. High pressure on Sunday dominating bringing generally dry weather throughout with sunny spells, though the odd wintry shower possible.
North-East
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, becoming drier overnight. Saturday will be cloudy with a few spots of light rain in the south during the morning. Becoming largely dry with bright or sunny spells developing for many in the afternoon. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C. Largely dry and bright Sunday, with some coastal showers.
North-West
Staying largely dry on Friday with bright or sunny spells, with a few showers over the higher ground. Some showers continuing then gradually easing overnight to allow for clearer spells. Turning colder with a patchy frost forming under the clearest skies. Saturday will be largely fine with plenty of sunny spells throughout. Winds remaining light with similar temperatures to Friday though cold overnight with another patchy frost.
Scotland
A day of sunny spells and scattered showers on Friday, with showers continuing through the evening, gradually easing for most overnight with clearer spells developing. A largely dry day on Saturday with sunny spells for most and the odd shower. High pressure on Sunday will dominate bringing generally dry weather with sunny spells.
After a wet and windy start to 2024 the weather patterns are shifting with drier, calmer and colder weather on the way.
Here’s Alex with all the details 👇 pic.twitter.com/p4PQwikKGk
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 4, 2024
Northern Ireland
A bright day with some sunny spells on Friday, though some occasional showers and clear spells and occasional showers overnight. Isolated coastal showers on Saturday, otherwise dry with bright and sunny spells. Colder with frost early and later in the day. Sunday will be mainly dry and settled with bright, sunny or clear spells.
Wales
A day of sunny spells and scattered showers on Friday, mostly towards the west and over the hills. Breezy along the coasts otherwise light winds and feeling slightly colder. Showers continuing through Friday evening, gradually easing for most overnight with clearer spells developing. A largely dry day on Saturday with sunny spells for most with the odd shower possible. High pressure dominating on Sunday, bringing generally dry weather with sunny spells, though the odd shower possible.