UK weather – live: Storm Elin named as Met Office warns of flooding and heavy rain
Forecaster warns up to 80mm of rain could fall in certain parts of the country
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Your support makes all the difference.Dozens of weather warnings have been issued across the UK and Ireland as heavy rain and windy conditions threaten to disrupt the start of the weekend.
Meanwhile, Storm Elin will bring gale force winds to parts of Ireland as Met Eireann issued a range of orange warnings for wind.
The Met Office has warned that homes and businesses may experience flooding as up to 80mm of rain falls in some parts of the UK.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said a band of wind and rain will move from the south-west of the UK towards the north-east on Saturday, “bringing with it heavy rain for much of the country”.
He said: “By the afternoon most of the heavy wind and rain will have passed and it will just be showers for southern areas.
“We will also be seeing some quite strong winds in Wales, the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland, particularly coastal communities around the Irish Sea.
“We’re in for a wet and windy weekend.”
The unsettled weather will continue into Sunday and next week, with a chance of further weather warnings.
Football games postponed because of waterlogged pitches
Saturday’s League Two games at Sutton United, Bradford City, Mansfield, Forest Green have been postponed because of waterlogged pitches.
Mansfield’s match against MK Dons was called off following an inspection by a local referee.
Persistent torrential rain has caused parts of the pitch to be covered all week.
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Mapped: Met Office’s latest severe weather warnings as UK hit by heavy rain
The UK is bracing for strong winds and more heavy rain this weekend, with the Met Office issuing new weather warnings across most of the country.
Areas near the Irish Sea are being warned they could face gusts of up to 70mph, with sustained windspeeds between 45 and 55mph forecast for the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland.
Part of the UK may also experience flooding with as much as 80mm of rain expected, the forecaster said, as yellow weather warnings were issued for Dorset and Devon, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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Mapped: Met Office’s latest severe weather warnings
Up to 30 flood warnings and 150 flood alerts are in place amid 70mph winds
Met Office meteorologist warns of 70mph winds and 40mm rain
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “Wet and windy weather is the main theme of the forecast this weekend, though there will be some drier interludes in the south on Saturday afternoon.
“Winds and rain could be disruptive at times, which has resulted in the issuing of weather warnings for both wind and rain.
“Winds could peak around 70mph on exposed Irish Sea coasts, with gusts of around 45-55mph likely quite widely in England and Wales. A further 20-30mm of rain could fall over parts of Northern Ireland, northwest England and into southwest and central Scotland, with 40mm over some high ground.”
Storm Fergus named as second bout of bad weather to arrive on Sunday
A second weather system has been named as Storm Fergus by the Irish forecaster, which is due to sweep across the UK on Sunday. The Met Office has warned it could reintroduce some gusty winds, especially in western areas, alongside further rainfall.
The most impactful winds of the storm are expected to hit Ireland.
Northern Ireland to face rain and flooding
In Northern Ireland, the UK Met Office released a yellow warning for rain for Antrim, Down, Tyrone and Londonderry.
Yellow warnings for rain indicate heavy rain will give a risk of localised flooding and some travel disruption on Saturday.
The Met Office also warns that strong winds may lead to some transport disruption as spray and flooding on roads may make journey times longer in affected areas.
Flooding of a few homes and businesses is also possible, along with some interruption to power supplies and other services.
Another yellow warning issued for central part of Scotland
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for southern and central parts of Scotland, which is due to last until 10pm on Saturday.
Storm Elin to affect Dublin, Tipperary and Donegal
Storm Elin will bring gale force winds to parts of Ireland as Met Eireann issued a range of weather warnings.
Counties Dublin, Wicklow and Donegal have been served orange warnings for wind.
It is predicted that Storm Elin will generate gale force west to north-west winds and severe gusts, causing disruption and travelling difficulties on Saturday.
Yellow wind warnings have also been issued for Clare, Tipperary, Cavan, and Monaghan.
UK and Ireland brace for wet and windy conditions
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