Heavy rain prompts nearly 30 flood warnings across UK with travel disruption expected
Almost 30 flood warnings are in force across south-west England as decreased snow risk makes way for heavy rain.
Travel disruption is expected as a Met Office yellow weather warning for rain is in place across parts of southern England, south-east Wales and into the Midlands which will last until 6pm on Monday.
The Environment Agency has issued 28 flood warnings, mainly in Dorset and Somerset, as heavy rain is causing river levels to rise.
More than 150 flood alerts have been issued across the country, ITV Correspondent Amy Welch reports
It comes after parts of the UK faced "ice rink Monday," after another night of sub-zero temperatures.
Overnight temperatures, which dipped to around or below freezing in many of the affected areas, were expected to cause icy patches on untreated surfaces due to thawed snow refreezing.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams said northern parts of the country could be facing an “ice rink Monday as snow refreezes overnight”.
The Met Office has issued the following weather warnings:
A yellow Ice warning is in place for parts of Scotland including the north-east and parts of the Highlands and Islands.
A yellow weather warning for snow for higher parts of Wales and the Peak District from 6pm on Sunday to 12pm on Monday.
A yellow weather warning for rain from midnight until 6pm on Monday in parts of southern England, South Wales and the south-west Midlands.
A yellow weather warning for ice in the East Midlands, the West Midlands, the north of England, and much of north and central Wales from 5pm on Sunday to 12pm on Monday.
A yellow weather warning for snow and ice in eastern Scotland from 5pm on Sunday to 12pm on Monday.
He said: “We’re expecting some very treacherous icy conditions in northern parts, so those who have to drive should exercise great caution. If it’s possible to delay or even abandon journeys that may well be the best option.
“Those who decide to drive should leave extra space behind the vehicle in front, reduce their speeds to give plenty of time to stop.
“Before setting out, it’s important to allow more time to de-ice and de-mist vehicles thoroughly.”
ScotRail advised passengers to check their journey before leaving home.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for heavy rain creating disruption to travel across parts of southern England, south east Wales and into the Midlands which will last until 6pm.
The warning was extended on Monday west to include more of Devon and Somerset.
Electricity North West said it was making hot food available at Greenodd Service Station in Ulverston on Monday morning for customers who remained without power.
On Monday some 800 properties in Cumbria, primarily in South Lakeland, were still without power following heavy snow in the county over the weekend, according to Electricity North West.
The electricity network operator said it had restored power to 7,500 homes, adding that “access continues to be a major issue and even specialist 4×4 vehicles cannot reach all sites” with “equipment for repairs being carried on foot in some locations”.
It added that Cumbria’s power network had been severely impacted by the snow with more than 35 separate damages to the network reported, including “severe damage to miles of overhead lines”.
Cumberland Council said nearly 40 schools would remain closed on Monday due to the conditions.
The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have issued amber cold health alerts in five regions, the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber, until December 5, meaning “cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time”.
England and Wales was expected to be largely cloudy outside the warning areas on Monday with outbreaks of rain, some of them turning heavy.
Overnight snow was predicted to be confined largely to the north east and on hills with frost and ice in the north and north west.
The Met Office said rain and hill snow will gradually ease across England and Wales on Tuesday with brighter spells developing. It will be sunnier but cold elsewhere with a few wintry showers in the north east. Lighter winds for most.
After frost and fog clears for bright spells on Wednesday, wet and windy weather is expected to arrive from the south west, pushing north and east into Thursday and Friday, with some initial hill snow.
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