UK weather: Warning of 'prolonged' heavy rain bringing travel disruption and flooding

Britons have been warned to prepare for additional heavy rainfall following a severe weather system that led to dense fog and flight cancellations.

Forecasters said a low-pressure system had brought extreme weather to much of the UK, with heavy rain and localised flooding expected to continue into Thursday.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for heavy falls in England's southeast and parts of Wales on Tuesday, with the high ground of Dartmoor and the hills of south Wales predicted to see 40-60mm of rain.

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The alert is also in place for Thursday, with South Wales and Dartmoor again predicted to see the highest rainfall, of 40-50mm, accompanied by strong winds.

England's south coast, including Portsmouth and Brighton, has also been slapped with a yellow warning for Thursday, with heavier rain expected after midday.

The Downs could be hit by as many as 40-50mm of rain, the Met Office said, though most areas should expect 15-25mm.

Heavy fog across much of England's south on Wednesday morning resulted in at least seven flights from London City Airport being cancelled. However, the airport's normal operations had resumed by 10am.

A yellow warning for fog was in place until 10am this morning for large parts of central and northern England.

Sky News Weather meteorologist Dr Chris England said more rain would spread from the west eastwards this afternoon, bringing the risk of further travel disruptions.

"Britain will see a band of prolonged and locally heavy rain spreading from the west this afternoon, clearing through the currently mainly dry south-east overnight," he said.

"The rain, heaviest over south-western hills and falling on already saturated ground, will bring a risk of localised flooding and travel disruption, especially to parts of southern Wales and the West Country."

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Dr England said more rain would be in store on Saturday, following a drier Friday.

"A further rain band spreading across all of Britain from the south-west tomorrow will bring a renewed risk of disruption there, with the risk extending to much of southern England later," Dr England said.

"Friday looks drier, but there'll be more rain on Saturday."

Can Britain expect a white Christmas?

High pressure is expected to build into next week, the Met Office has predicted, bringing drier and colder conditions for the week of Christmas.

Britons can expect probable overnight frosts, mist and more fog, though significant cold weather looks less likely.

The Met Office said on Tuesday that it was too early to confirm if there would be snow on Christmas Day, though it would update its forecasts when more information comes in.

(c) Sky News 2025: UK weather: Warning of 'prolonged' heavy rain bringing travel disruption and flooding