Somerset Faces Intense 29-Hour Rainfall with Met Office Severe Weather Warning

Somerset is preparing for an extended period of heavy rain beginning late Sunday and lasting well into Tuesday morning, as the Met Office has issued a severe weather warning. The 29-hour alert runs from midnight on Monday to 3am on Tuesday, forecasting continuous rainfall that could lead to flooding and significant disruption.

The detailed forecast for Somerset’s key locations—including Bath, Yeovil, and Bridgwater—predicts rain starting around 10pm Sunday, intensifying through the early hours of Monday. Steady lighter rain is expected from 4am until mid-afternoon, followed by another spell of heavy rain lasting until 9pm, then easing off but continuing as light rain into the early hours of Tuesday.

An even more serious amber warning covers South Wales all day Monday, extending over parts of the Bristol Channel close to Somerset. Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mike Silverstone highlighted the potential for heavy accumulations, with upland areas in South Wales potentially receiving 100-120mm of rain in 24 hours. Somerset’s nearby uplands, including Dartmoor and Exmoor, could see 40-80mm, raising concerns about flooding and travel hazards.

This weather event may cause fast flowing or deep floodwaters and pose a danger to life in affected amber warning areas. Power outages and road disruptions are also a possibility, with residents urged to stay updated with official warnings as conditions develop.

Alongside the rainfall, strong southwesterly winds are expected, especially near the English Channel coasts, adding to the challenging weather conditions. Temperatures will remain mild, with Monday’s highs reaching around 14°C.

After this wet spell, conditions from Tuesday onwards will be changeable, featuring a mix of showers and sunshine with generally average temperatures and occasional breezy weather, especially along coasts and elevated terrain.