Amber rain warning issued for UK as Lancashire prepares for strong winds from Storm Claudia
Lancashire is set to face strong, gusty winds on Friday as Storm Claudia sweeps across the UK, bringing the risk of flooding, travel disruption and damage to buildings.
An amber warning for rain has been issued across parts of Wales, the Midlands and southern England, with forecasters warning that some areas could see up to 80mm of rain - and potentially more than 150mm in the worst-affected locations.
The Met Office says deep floodwater could pose a danger to life as heavy downpours fall on already saturated ground.
The amber warning is in place from noon on Friday until the end of the day, as Storm Claudia - named earlier this week by the Spanish meteorological service following disruption in the Canary Islands - moves close to the UK.
A wider yellow warning for rain covers much of England from Cheshire and North Yorkshire down to the south coast for a full 24 hours from 6am on Friday.
A further warning for winds of up to 70mph across western parts of the UK is active from noon until midnight.
Lancashire warning in place
Closer to home, a yellow wind warning has been issued for most of Lancashire, excluding the Fylde coast and Lancaster, from midday on Friday, November 14, until 11.59pm.
Forecasters say gusts of 50-60mph are likely through the afternoon and evening, with up to 70mph possible over exposed hills and coastal areas.
The Met Office warns this could lead to:
- A slight chance of damage to buildings, including tiles blown from roofs
- Possible power cuts, which may also affect mobile phone coverage
- A small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris
- Longer journey times or cancellations on road, rail, air and ferry routes
- A small chance of road and bridge closures
The weather is expected to ease overnight as winds moderate.
‘Month’s worth of rain in 24 hours’
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “ Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall to a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales on Friday into Saturday.
“This rain will become slow moving, and some areas could see up to a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.
“Much of this will fall on saturated ground, increasing the chances of flooding and contributing to the Amber warnings we have issued.”
He added that gusty winds in north-west England and north-west Wales will add to the hazards, with 60–70mph gusts possible in exposed spots.
Unlike many named storms, Claudia is not expected to track directly across the UK but will remain positioned to the west, continuing to drive unsettled weather across Britain.
Travel warning
The AA has urged motorists to avoid unnecessary journeys.
A spokesperson said: “Safety comes first. Conditions may change quickly, so stay updated and make sure you’re prepared before you travel.
“Flood water can appear quickly, and even shallow water can be dangerous – never try to drive through it.”
Further north, temperatures are predicted to drop heading into the weekend, with overnight frosts possible from Friday through Sunday.
Residents are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and plan travel carefully.