As it happenedended1565361326

UK weather – live updates: ‘Danger to life’ warning as rain, wind and thunderstorms to batter Britain

Gusts could hit 50mph, say forecasters

Jon Sharman,Conrad Duncan
Friday 09 August 2019 15:01 BST
Comments
UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

Flooding could turn deadly as thunderstorms, rain and high winds batter the UK, forecasters have warned.

Gusts could hit 50mph and the Met Office warned of disruption to travel by rail and road, adding that flooding could cut off some communities and pose a “danger to life” on Friday.

Scotland and the far north of England are bracing for damage and flash flooding caused by thunderstorms that are expected on Saturday.

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load

1565342756

Welcome to The Independent's live weather coverage.

Jon Sharman9 August 2019 10:25
1565343371

Unsettled weather means low pollen for most, the Met Office says.

Jon Sharman9 August 2019 10:36
1565343503

Thunderstorms and windy, wet weather are expected to grip the UK all weekend, bringing hazardous driving conditions and the potential for floods, writes Andy Gregory.

Yellow weather warnings are in place across the whole of the country until Sunday, at which point England and Wales should see some relief, the Met Office forecasted.

“There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life,” across the UK on Friday, its website said.

Music festivals and other events have been cancelled and drivers warned to limit their travel where possible, as “unseasonable” conditions could bring gusts of up to 50mph and up to 40mm of rain within a few hours.

Jon Sharman9 August 2019 10:38
1565343557

Advice here for concerned neighbours.

Jon Sharman9 August 2019 10:39
1565343874

Downpours in the northeast aren't stopping some from getting out and about.

Jon Sharman9 August 2019 10:44
1565344277

Swathes of Scotland are on flood alert as heavy rain lashed the country.

Surface water was causing problems for drivers on Friday morning while ferry services were disrupted by strong winds.

It followed localised flooding earlier in the week which led to the cancellation of some train services between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Firefighters were deployed to drain the Winchburgh Tunnel near Broxburn in West Lothian after 50mm of rainfall in the area the previous day.

ScotRail said services had begun again on Friday.

Additional reporting by PA

Jon Sharman9 August 2019 10:51
1565344863

Wales living up to its reputation, here.

Jon Sharman9 August 2019 11:01
1565345523

Manchester also living up to its reputation...

Jon Sharman9 August 2019 11:12
1565346123

The Environment Agency has 10 flood alerts in force for England. They are:

Loughborough Urban Watercourses

Lower River Soar in Leicestershire

River Chew Catchment

River Cole

River Cole and Dorcan Brook

River Leen and Day Brook in Nottinghamshire

River Maun in Nottinghamshire

River Sow and River Penk

Upper River Irwell catchment with Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, Haslingden, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstal-l

Upper River Swale

Meanwhile, Scotland's Environmental Protection Agency has 14, covering practically the entire country.

Jon Sharman9 August 2019 11:22
1565347383

In Belfast, one tattoo parlour reports that it can't operate today due to flooding.

Jon Sharman9 August 2019 11:43

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in