UK weather forecast: Severe flooding warnings issued as Britain braces for deluge of heavy rain

Britain is due to be lashed with heavy rain today with yellow weather warnings and flood warnings in force, and the wet weather is due to last well into the middle of next week.

Some parts of the country such as Devon – which had a yellow weather warning yesterday as well as today – have already received two weeks’ worth of rain in one day – according to the Met Office.

There are currently two weather warnings in England and two in Scotland.

After a month of severe flooding across the UK, the heavy rain poses further risk, with 77 flood alerts across England and Wales and nine severe flood warnings across England.

Met Office meteorologist Helen Roberts told The Independent: “In some places, such as Devon, we have seen two weeks’ worth of rain when compared to the November average with 40mm to 60mm, and there is definitely more to come.

“That’s because the South West has seen the wettest weather in the last 24 hours but the low pressure will migrate northwards and be particularly bad in the North East and east Scotland.

“There are parts of the country that have seen flooding during the past month and any more rain is not going to be welcome.”

Looking at the forecast for Sunday and next week, Ms Roberts said there will be another batch of rain coming in from the south-west tomorrow.

She added: “This will move eastwards by Monday and meanwhile there will be thundery showers.

“There will be windy weather and spray on the roads, making it hazardous for drivers.

“The rain is set to continue into next week and we can expect at least five days.

“It will begin to clear up in parts by Thursday, but by then the temperature will drop.

“It is hard to say whether the rain will persist until next weekend as it is too early to say.”

The forecast comes only a day after two people – believed to be a mother and daughter – died when a tree fell on their car near the Cotswolds town of Winchcombe.

Firefighters in Devon and Cornwall warned drivers to stay away from flooded roads after a number of calls overnight to stranded cars.

In the East Midlands and North East the Met Office is warning that flooding is likely until midnight, as people continue the clean-up from the deluge earlier this month.

Wales, central and south-eastern England will escape the worst of the showers.

Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said: “It’s a pretty unsettled start to the weekend, and a very cloudy day today, with heavy rain pushing its way north throughout the day.”

Mr Dewhurst said other rainy areas could also see problems.

Two yellow weather warnings are in place for the east and north of Scotland until 9am on Sunday, but for most, the rain will have cleared by tomorrow, but only temporarily.

Earlier this month, the Army was called in to assist stricken communities after towns and villages around Doncaster and Sheffield and parts of the Midlands were drenched by heavy downpours.

Doncaster Council said 970 homes and businesses in the town were affected by the rain between November 7 and 15.

Additional reporting by agencies