UK issues another heavy rain, storm, and flood warning: Here's how long the bad weather will last

The UK has been dealing with thunderstorms and floodingas the remnants of Hurricane Lee sweep over Britain. Parts of Devon and Somerset had more than a month’s worth of rain in one day on Sunday, as reported by The Independent. The showers were ‘highly localised’ and the ensuing flooding forced Exeter Airport to close.

The Met Office has warned that this is to continue, and said we can expect large hail storms and heavy rain in Wales and northwest England.

How long will the heavy rain last?

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for heavy rain that began at 6AM today, Tuesday 19 September, and will run for two days. People living in Wales and northwest England should be aware that flooding of homes and establishments is likely, and that public transport may be impacted.

Read more:Is cold weather the reason you’re catching a cold?

Dramatic change of weather for the UK

The Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey explained that Hurricane Lee - which hit New England in the US and eastern Canada - would no longer be a hurricane when it hit the UK:

That will be getting picked up by the jet stream. Showers in places could be heavy with a risk of further thunderstorms. It could be quite an unsettled, autumnal week to come.

The Met Office’s Alex Deakin has noted that this comes on the heels of a dramatic heatwave in Britain. For seven consecutive days at the start of September, the UK experienced recording-breaking temperatures. As Deakin points out, ‘off the back of that, it’s been quite a switch’.

That being said, Exeter airport opened again yesterday and the worst of the weather is predicted to be over by the end of the week. Hang on to your umbrellas until then, and think of drier times to come.

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Sources used:

The Independent: UK weather: New heavy rain warnings after thunderstorms and torrential downpours

Sky News: Hurricane Lee aftermath to hit UK as Exeter Airport reopens following flash floods

The New York Times: Remnants of Hurricane Lee Will Bring Heavy Rain to the U.K.