Key Highlights
- Freezing temperatures and the chance of snow are possible after Storm Claudia.
- Emergency services dealt with severe flooding from Friday’s storm in Monmouth, Wales.
- A cold snap is expected to bring widespread frosts across the UK next week.
- Record-breaking rainfall was recorded at several locations in Wales and England.
Freezing Temperatures Follow Storm Claudia
The United Kingdom will experience a significant drop in temperature after experiencing heavy flooding from Storm Claudia, according to the Met Office. The severe weather event, which caused widespread flooding in parts of Wales, is expected to give way to freezing conditions that may include snow and strong winds.
Emergency Services Respond to Flooding
In Monmouth, south-east Wales, a major incident was declared as people were rescued or evacuated from homes affected by Friday’s heavy rain. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued four severe flood warnings amid concerns of potential danger to life by Saturday night. The situation was so severe that 45 flood warnings were in place across England.
A team of British Red Cross volunteers provided assistance at a local leisure centre for those who had been evacuated from their homes. The Welsh Government expressed gratitude towards the emergency services and community members for their tireless efforts under difficult conditions to keep people safe.
Record-Breaking Rainfall Recorded
The weather station in Tafalog, Gwent, recorded 119.6mm of rain over a 12-hour period between Friday and Saturday morning, while another gauge at Suckley, Worcestershire, measured 80.6mm during the same time frame.
High winds also impacted north-west Wales and north-west England during Storm Claudia, with gusts reaching up to 63mph in Aberdaron, Gwynedd, and 68mph at Warcop Range, Cumbria. The River Monnow saw its levels reach unprecedented heights, surpassing those recorded during Storm Dennis in 2020 and last year’s Storm Bert.
Expected Cold Snap
The Met Office forecasted a significant drop in temperatures, with figures plummeting to around 11C on Sunday and getting colder throughout the week. The agency warned of widespread frosts across the UK, predicting temperatures could dip as low as -7C next week.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley explained, “As Storm Claudia retreats to the south, high pressure to the north-west will drive a cold northerly flow from the Arctic across the UK. This will bring much colder conditions than of late and, whilst generally drier than recent days, there will also be a risk of wintry hazards such as snow and ice.”
The British public is being advised to prepare for this significant change in weather after experiencing prolonged periods of above-average temperatures.
