The Met Office has escalated its weather warnings to a rare amber alert, stating that the approaching Storm Claudia presents a genuine danger to life. The storm, named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET), is forecast to deluge large parts of England and Wales, with its most severe impacts expected to peak on Friday, November 14.
Widespread Flooding and Disruption Expected
Matthew Lehnert, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, provided a stark assessment of the situation. He confirmed that Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall across a vast swathe of central and southern England and Wales from Friday into Saturday.
He warned that the rain will become slow-moving, leading to exceptionally high totals. Some areas could see up to a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours, with widespread accumulations of 60-80mm and some locations within the amber warning area potentially receiving in excess of 150mm.
Mr. Lehnert emphasised that this deluge will fall on already saturated ground, significantly increasing the risk of flooding and justifying the severe amber warnings. An additional hazard will be gusty winds, particularly in northwest England and northwest Wales, where gusts of 60-70mph are possible in exposed areas.
Regional Impact and Travel Chaos
The amber warning is active from 6am on Friday, November 14, until 6am on Saturday, November 15. For the West Midlands and other affected regions, the forecast is for heavy and prolonged rain that is likely to cause significant flooding and major travel disruption.
Local authorities are already on high alert. West Midlands Roads posted a warning on social media platform X, advising the public that persistent and heavy rainfall coupled with strong easterly winds could result in dangerous conditions. This alert comes just a day after flash floods caused chaos in the region, blocking key roads such as the A34 Birchfield Road underpass.
The combination of potential flooding, challenging driving conditions, and powerful winds is expected to create a hazardous situation for residents across England and Wales, with officials urging people to stay informed and avoid unnecessary travel.