UK weather: Danger to life warning issued as Britain set to be battered by rain and strong winds
The Met Office warned of rain and flooding as it issued seven weather warnings over the next few days
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain is set to be battered by rain and flooding as the Met Office warned of a danger to life in some parts of the country over the next few days.
The forecaster warned of flooding and power cuts in some parts of the country as it issued seven weather warnings across Britain for the next week.
It said there was a chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing a danger to life in Wales, and warned of power cuts in other parts of the country.
Wind and snow warnings were issued across the south of England, Wales, north of England and Scotland all day on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, an ice warning was put in place for Scotland on Monday and Tuesday, with risks of difficult travelling conditions and injuries from slippery paths and roads.
“There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life. There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings,” the forecaster said of Wales on Wednesday.
It comes after the Met Office officially declared a white Christmas with snow falling across parts of the UK after the record for the highest daily minimum temperature for Christmas Day was broken further south.
Snow, sleet and rain moved across parts of Scotland, with Tulloch Bridge and Aviemore recording flakes falling, the Met Office announced on X, formerly Twitter.
The forecasting body said this made Monday an “official white Christmas” – defined by them as a single snowflake falling on 25 December.
Temperatures at Exeter airport and in East Malling, Kent, stayed above 12.4C, beating the previous record of 11.5C measured at Waddon in Croydon in 1983.
In terms of maximum temperatures, the mercury has so far hit 13.2C at Exeter airport and in Merryfield in Somerset, which makes Monday the warmest 25 December since 2018, when meteorologists recorded a high of 13.3C.
Forecasters had thought this year could be the warmest Christmas Day since 2016, with predicted highs of 14C, and maximum temperatures could still change.
The Met Office announced the minimum temperature record on X on Monday morning, posting: “It has been a very mild 24 hours across parts of the UK.
“Provisionally this Christmas we have recorded the highest daily minimum temperature for Christmas Day on record, with both Exeter Airport and East Malling not falling below 12.4C.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments