Key Highlights
- The Environment Agency issues 77 flood warnings for England and more than 250 alerts across the UK.
- Heavy rainfall in South West and South Wales is expected on Saturday with blustery showers in the South West.
- Exeter Airport has recorded rainfall every single day this year, highlighting the relentless wet weather.
The Flood Crisis Continues: UK Underwater
You might think this is new, but… it’s not. The UK has been under a deluge of rain for months now, and it shows no sign of letting up anytime soon. As the Environment Agency (EA) issues dozens of flood warnings across England, we find ourselves in another cycle of relentless wet weather.
According to the EA, 77 warnings are active, mainly concentrated in the South West and Midlands.
Add those to over 250 alerts stretching from North Yorkshire to Cornwall and from the Welsh borders to Norfolk, and you get a picture of how widespread this issue has become. Natural Resources Wales adds another layer by issuing flood alerts for its region.
Why It’s So Wet
The culprit is the jet stream, steering areas of low pressure down south. This wavy pattern has led to blocked weather systems, making it hard for any respite in the forecast. Aberdeen hasn’t seen a single hour of sunshine since January 21, setting a new record that dates back to 1957.
Meanwhile, Sheffield is in the dark as well, with zero hours of sunshine this month alone.
Katesbridge had its wettest February day on record with 67.2mm of rain in just 24 hours, beating previous records from 1985 by a significant margin. And the South West has seen nearly a third more rainfall than usual for January.
What’s Next?
Saturday promises to be another soggy day with blustery showers in the South West and heavy showers in South Wales. Sunday offers some mix of sunshine but doesn’t come close to breaking this relentless cycle. The Met Office predicts more wet weather right into next week, adding to the gloom.
Expert Opinions
Dan Stroud from the Met Office had this to say: “Unfortunately, there’s no end in sight.” Alex Deakin echoed his colleague, stating that Friday was a very soggy day across much of the country. The high pressure system continues to block any change in weather patterns.
Until things unblock, expect more rain. And if it’s any consolation, we’re not alone; Storm Marta has battered Portugal, Spain, and Gibraltar this weekend after an exceptionally wet January that saw some places receive three times their normal rainfall.
The UK is in for a bumpy ride, folks. But hey, at least it means fewer chances to suffer through a heatwave next summer, right?
