Met Office issues severe weather warning

The warning, issued this morning, states that rain will become heavy and persistent over the high ground of North Wales and parts of northern England during Monday evening, before clearing eastwards overnight.

The public should be aware of the risk of localised surface water and river flooding.

An active frontal system will bring a spell of heavy rain to parts of North Wales and northern England during Monday evening and into the early hours of Tuesday with 20 mm of rain falling widely in the warning area and as much as 30-40 mm in upland areas exposed to the strong westerly winds.

Westerly winds will become strong across many parts of Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, England and Wales during Monday evening and night, with gusts of 50-60 mph and isolated gusts of 65-70 mph in exposed locations. The wind will become northwesterly by Tuesday morning and, although easing for a time, it will become very gusty through the day, particularly near showers.

The public should be aware of the risk of localised damage from these winds and for minor disruption to travel.

A deepening area of low pressure will move east across northern Scotland during Monday evening, bringing strong westerly winds to many parts of Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, England and Wales with gales and locally severe gales in places.

A cold and showery northwesterly airstream will become established for Tuesday, with powerful gusts in and near showers, particularly over Northern Ireland, southwest Scotland and Northern England.