Somerset and much of the South West are bracing for heavy rainfall as the Met Office has issued two consecutive weather warnings for significant rain. The first, an 18-hour warning starting early Saturday, November 29, will be followed by a 15-hour alert beginning at midnight on Monday, December 1.
The initial warning, which comes into effect at 6 a.m. Saturday, covers the entire South West, as well as parts of Wales, Yorkshire, London, and the East Midlands. Showers are expected to begin late Friday night and intensify throughout the day, with rainfall spreading across England.
The Met Office predicts that areas of high ground could receive as much as 60 to 80 millimeters of rain tomorrow, potentially leading to flooding and disruption. Strong winds are also forecast, especially affecting eastern England, complicating travel and safety concerns.
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Officials have cautioned that heavy rain coupled with flooding could lengthen journey times due to poor visibility, road spray, and submerged routes, with the possibility of some communities becoming isolated. Power outages are also a risk in affected areas.
The rainfall map highlights Somerset being particularly affected early Saturday, with heavy downpours between 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., peaking around 6:30 a.m. in Taunton. Conditions will moderate by the afternoon, with intermittent sunshine and showers, accompanied by cooler temperatures and blustery winds.
As the weekend progresses, another band of heavy rain is anticipated to arrive late Sunday night, spreading across the region on Monday. Monday’s rain accumulations could reach 20-30 millimeters widely, with even heavier falls of 40-80 millimeters over Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Mendips, Dorset, and the Cotswolds. Southwesterly winds will intensify near the English Channel coastlines.
Residents and travelers are advised to prepare for challenging weather conditions as December begins, with significant rain and strong winds set to impact Somerset and the South West in the coming days.