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The Met Office has issued amber warnings as Storm Claudia brings heavy rainfall to various parts of the United Kingdom. The rain is expected to continue through much of Friday and into Saturday morning, with some regions potentially receiving close to their entire monthly rainfall total during this period. Alongside the precipitation, strong easterly winds are anticipated, increasing the likelihood of flooding and challenging travel conditions.
Storm Claudia, named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET), has already produced heavy rain and strong winds in Spain and Portugal. The storm’s effects have now moved across England and Wales, where the rain is forecasted to linger for most of Friday. A widespread Met Office yellow weather warning is in place across much of England and Wales until 06:00 GMT on Saturday. Rainfall amounts of 30-50mm are expected over wide areas, which could result in localized flooding and travel disruptions. More severe amber warnings have been issued for parts of south-east Wales from midday until just before midnight, where rainfall totals could reach up to 150mm on higher ground. Additional amber warnings cover parts of east Wales, the Midlands, and eastern England, with rain totals ranging from 40 to 80mm.
Flooding is anticipated, especially in regions under amber warnings. Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, highlighted the risks, stating, “Storm Claudia will bring heavy prolonged rainfall across parts of England, with significant surface water flooding probable across parts of central England on Friday, while significant river flooding impacts are also possible, and into Saturday.” Driving conditions are expected to be hazardous during the storm. Alice Simpson, spokesperson for RAC breakdown services, advised caution by saying, “We urge drivers to take the amber weather warnings associated with Storm Claudia extremely seriously, as they indicate roads are likely to become flooded and therefore represent a risk to life. Drivers may wish to consider delaying their journeys until the worst of the impacts are over, especially in areas that are hardest hit this weekend.” Along with the rain, strong easterly winds with gusts reaching 50-70 mph in the far northwest of Wales and the Pennines could cause minor damage and disturbances.
Unlike many UK storms, which typically arrive from the North Atlantic with damaging winds, Storm Claudia is notable primarily for its rainfall. Originating from Spain and Portugal where it caused significant impacts and earned its name from AEMET, Claudia is now moving northeastwards, approaching the UK from the southwest. While gusts of up to 70 mph can be expected, especially in northwest Wales and the Pennines, the storm’s rainfall is its defining characteristic. Once a storm is named by one meteorological agency, all agencies use the same name to ensure clarity in communication. Claudia is not a replacement for any existing names on the UK’s storm list, meaning the next named storm in the region will still be Bram.
November has already been particularly wet, with some areas surpassing their average monthly rainfall in just the first two weeks. Cumbria locations such as Shap and Carlisle have recorded 226mm and 95mm of rain respectively, exceeding their November averages of 205mm and 85mm. Higher ground sites, like Honister in the Lake District, have seen over 500mm of rainfall so far, while the Brecon Beacons in south Wales have experienced notably high precipitation, with several Natural Resources Wales stations recording over 200mm. The persistent heavy rain has contributed to significant flooding in some areas, with one Carmarthen business owner describing recent floods as “the worst in living memory,” leading to the closure of his shop
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