This page has an accessible alternative.
What do the warning colours mean?
Red warning
- Dangerous weather is expected and, if you have not done so already, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather.
- It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure.
Amber warning
- There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans.
- This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property.
Yellow warning
- Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations.
- It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered by the warning.
Follow alerts in the app
UK weather warnings
Amber warning
Rain
00:00
Today
UTC
18:00
Today
Heavy rain is likely to cause some flooding and disruption on Thursday.
What should I expect?
- Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
- Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life
- Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely
- Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- A good chance some communities will be cut off by flooded roads
What should I do?
Further detail
Rain will be persistent and heavy during Thursday with widespread accumulations of 60-80 mm likely and as much as 100-120 mm over high ground. Event totals since Wednesday evening may exceed 150 mm in a few places. This is expected to lead to some surface water and river flooding across the area. This Amber warning indicates where there is greater likelihood of medium level impacts due to mainly river flooding, with the Yellow warning covering a wider area and longer time period.
What Should I Do?
Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road
conditions. If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously.
It is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are
affected by fast flowing or deep-water call 999, and wait for help.
Preparing a flood kit could save you from loss or damage due to flooding to your home or business.
In your flood kit have: insurance and any other important documents; a torch & spare batteries; a
first aid kit, prescription medicines and supplies for looking after your family members or pets; and
warm, waterproof clothes, blankets, food and water.
Consider checking on vulnerable people that you know including older people, those with underlying
conditions and those who live alone; they may need support with food and medical supplies.
If you are worried about your health or that of somebody you know, ring NHS 111.
Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services
and local authorities
Why is the warning amber?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a medium impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||||||||||||||
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
Grampian
Yellow warning
Rain
18:00
Wed 21
UTC
23:59
Tomorrow
Persistent and heavy rain over hills later Wednesday and through Thursday and Friday may lead to some flooding
What should I expect?
- There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
- There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life
- Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services
- There is a small chance that some communities will become cut off by flooded roads
- There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
- Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
What should I do?
Further detail
Rain, whilst intermittent at first on Wednesday, will become persistent and heavy over high ground later in the day, continuing into Thursday and potentially Friday. Rainfall accumulations of 30-60 mm are likely fairly widely inland, with as much as 80-120 mm possible over the highest ground exposed to the brisk southeasterly winds. Given the nature of the ground following recent rain and snow thaw, this may lead to some flooding in places. Rainfall totals will be smaller in coastal areas, but strong onshore winds and large waves at times will be additional hazards.
In addition, rain will fall increasingly as snow over high ground, especially on Thursday and into Friday, adding to the uncertainty as to how quickly rivers may respond downstream.
What Should I Do?
Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a low likelihood and a medium impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Last updated
Reason: Likelihood of medium impacts increased from from 'very low' to 'low', and delay to start time on Wednesday from 1200 to 1800, and end time on Friday from 1200 to 2359.
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
Grampian
Highlands & Eilean Siar
Yellow warning
Rain
08:00
Today
UTC
16:00
Today
Heavy rain leading to some flooding and travel disruption on Thursday
What should I expect?
- Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
- Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
What should I do?
Further detail
Frequent showers and some longer spells of rain, heavy at times, are likely during Thursday. 5 to 15 mm is likely to fall widely in a few hours, with up to 20 mm in a few places. Given saturated ground, this may lead to some flooding and transport disruption.
The heaviest of the rain will clear northeastwards by late afternoon.
What Should I Do?
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and
train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met
Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
South West England
Wales
Yellow warning
Rain
10:00
Today
UTC
23:59
Today
Persistent rain leading to some flooding and transport disruption on Thursday
What should I expect?
- Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
- Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
What should I do?
Further detail
Periods of rain are expected during Thursday. 15 to 25 mm is likely to fall widely during the course of the day, with 30 to 40 mm possible in a few spots, mainly on high ground. This may lead to some flooding and transport disruption.
The rain is expected to clear northwards during Thursday night.
What Should I Do?
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and
train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met
Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Northern Ireland
Warnings are in force for:
Follow alerts in the app