UK weather: New maps show Bank Holiday misery as 14 hours of rain spark flood alerts

The washout is set to continue as the Met Office warned of heavy downpours lasting most of the day and thunderstorms affecting millions, with a number of flood alerts also in place.

People have been warned to prepare for sudden flooding causing nightmares for motorists, with people scattered around the country for the three-day weekend. Some communities could even be cut off as a result of the heavy rain falling throughout the UK. Earlier today the Met Office put out yellow warnings for thunderstorms lasting from around midday until into the evening.

Now, concerning looking maps have shown the areas of the country told to batten down the hatches for the coming hours. WXCharts show the majority of the country turning a deep blue – indicating heavy rain – with some places even showing green meaning around two inches of water are on the way. Londoners face a particularly miserable day as downpours are forecasted for 14 hours – from 8am to midnight.

The Met Office’s warning reads: “Following morning rain, thunderstorms and heavy downpours may break out in some places this afternoon and evening. Although not all places will catch these storms and downpours, where they do occur 20 to 30 mm rain may fall in some places in an hour or two.”

As well as the yellow warning, there are also 44 flood alerts in place where flooding is possible, including Groundwater flooding in South East London. The warning reads: “Some properties with deep basements in and around Purley and low lying land near the Caterham Bourne could still experience flooding.

Those who live by rivers are reminded to keep clear the sections of river that flow through their land. Flooding of properties, gardens and low lying land elsewhere is not expected at this point in time. The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation alongside Surrey County Council, Tandridge District Council and the London Borough of Croydon. We will update this message on Thursday 15 May 2024, or sooner if the situation changes.

The gloomy conditions will continue long after this bank holiday, however, Brits could eventually see some “fine and dry weather ” towards the end of this week. The Met Office earlier issued a long-range forecast from May 9 to 18. It reads: “There is a strong signal for high pressure across the UK at the start of this period, bringing a good deal of fine and dry weather for most areas, though with patchy mist and fog in places each morning.

“Northwestern parts of the UK are likely to be the exception to this, with more in the way of cloud and rain at times here. The high is likely to maintain its influence into the weekend before starting to weaken during the following week. So a continuation of fine weather through the weekend seems likely for most, before a return of less settled conditions during the following week. Temperatures are expected to be slightly above normal for early May, with some very warm days possible.”