Storm Alex 2020: heavy rain to hit Portsmouth and south of England as Met Office issues UK yellow weather warnings

Storm Alex will hit the UK on Friday 2 October, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Portsmouth and the south of England with a Met Office weather warning in place
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The storm is set to mainly impact areas across the south, but the rest of the UK will experience some wet and windy weather over the weekend, as the storm clears away.

The Met Office explains that on Friday, some places could receive 40-50 mm of rain over the course of 12-18 hours, “most likely in the south of this region whilst the high ground of southeast Wales could see 50-70 mm in a few spots.”

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The rainfall will occur with strong gusts of 45-55 mph inland during Friday, and some coastal regions could experience gusts of 60-65 mph, particularly exposed parts of Devon and Cornwall.

Storm Alex will hit the UK on Friday 2 October, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Portsmouth and the south of England with a Met Office weather warning in place (Photo: Shutterstock)Storm Alex will hit the UK on Friday 2 October, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Portsmouth and the south of England with a Met Office weather warning in place (Photo: Shutterstock)
Storm Alex will hit the UK on Friday 2 October, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Portsmouth and the south of England with a Met Office weather warning in place (Photo: Shutterstock)
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Is there a weather warning in place for Portsmouth?

A yellow weather warning for rain is in place for Portsmouth from 3am until 8pm on Friday, as wet and windy weather brings the potential for flooding and transport disruption.

What to expect from this weather warning:

Flooding of a few homes and businesses in urbanised areas is likely Spray and flooding on roads will make for dangerous driving conditions resulting in longer journey times. It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely Some short term loss of power and other services is possible

What will the weather be like this weekend?

The UK is set to see wet weather continue over the weekend, with further Met Office warnings in place.

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Steve Ramsdale, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, explains, “As the strong winds and rain associated with Storm Alex clear away from Britain later on Friday, another low-pressure system moves towards the UK from the east bringing further very heavy rain and strong winds to many over the weekend.”

A yellow weather warning for rain is in place for London and South East England, including Portsmouth, from 3am on Saturday 3 October until 6pm on Sunday 4 October.

This warning also covers Central, Tayside & Fife, East Midlands, East of England, Grampian, Highlands & Eilean Siar, North East England, North West England SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, South West England, Wales and Yorkshire & Humber.

Heavy rain will push north and west across the UK, clearing from much of southeast England by Saturday afternoon.

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However, rain is expected to remain heavy and persistent throughout Saturday and into mid-Sunday across eastern Scotland, the far northeast of England, much of Wales, and southwest England.

This is then likely to bring flooding and some disruption to travel, as many places will see 25-50 mm of rainfall, with totals of 100-125 mm expected over the high ground of eastern Scotland, and perhaps parts of Wales and southwest England.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Nick Silkstone, said, “Saturday will be a very wet day as heavy bands of rain push north and west across the country, followed by showery rain on Sunday. It’ll be cold and windy too with a risk of coastal gales in some areas.”