The Met Office has issued a significant yellow weather warning for rain across the Midlands, with a risk of flooding from the early hours of Thursday, January 15. The warning is in place for the entire day, lasting until 11:59pm.
Which Areas Are at Risk?
The alert covers large parts of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Towns and communities are being urged to prepare for "heavy and persistent" downpours that could lead to localised flooding and travel disruption.
In Herefordshire, residents in the city of Hereford and the historic market towns of Leominster, Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye, Kington, and Bromyard should be on alert.
Worcestershire towns named in the warning include Redditch, Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Evesham, and the spa town of Great Malvern. Other areas at risk are Bewdley, Droitwich, Pershore, and Stourport-on-Severn.
Official Advice: How to Prepare
The Met Office has issued clear guidance for those in the affected regions. Their key advice includes:
Check your flood risk: The first step is to find out if your property is in a vulnerable area. If it is, consider creating a personal flood plan and assembling an emergency flood kit with essential supplies.
Plan your travel: To avoid delays, check road conditions and public transport timetables before you set out. Be ready to amend your plans if necessary.
Prepare for power cuts: Gather items like torches, batteries, and a mobile phone power pack in case of electricity interruptions.
Stay updated: Weather warnings can change rapidly. The Met Office recommends staying informed with the latest local forecasts.
A Shift to Colder Weather on the Horizon
Looking further ahead, weather forecaster James Madden from Exacta Weather suggests a significant change is coming. He indicates that colder, wintry conditions with increasing snow prospects are likely to arrive from the weekend and into the week beginning January 18-19.
Madden states this shift will be due to atmospheric disturbances and ocean trends, potentially placing Britain in a "very strong and favourable position for further periods in the freezer" with opportunities for widespread snow.
Residents across the Midlands are advised to take the immediate rain warning seriously while also keeping an eye on the forecast for a potential sharp turn to winter conditions in the days that follow.
