There will be heavy rain and 51mph gusts throughout Kent
Kent Christmas shoppers and travellers have been warned about the dangers of flood water as the county braces for heavy rain and wind.
The Met office has issued several weather warnings for the UK, as a low-level pressure system brings blustery conditions to the country.
Outbreaks of heavy rain and brisk winds are expected to move eastwards on Wednesday (December 17).
While southeast England, including Kent, is forecast to stay dry until after dark, a yellow warning for rain is in place from 10:00 until 23:59 for southwest England and south Wales, with as much as 40 to 60 mm possible over Dartmoor and the hills of south Wales.
Neil Armstrong, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: “We’re set to see an unsettled week as low-pressure systems push fronts across the UK.
“With recent heavy rain, further wet conditions will increase the risk of flooding. With that in mind, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecast and warnings and remember to never drive through flood water.”
As we move into Thursday (December 18) a separate Yellow Warning for rain is in place for southern counties of England, between the hours of 00:00 and 21:00.
Within this warning area, which includes the majority of Kent, 15-25 mm of rain is possible widely, with 40-60 mm possible over the Downs. Strong winds are expected too, with gusts of as much as 51mph expected in Dover.
This bad weather is set to continue for the rest of the week. Neil Armstrong continued “Friday will bring frequent blustery showers, typical for the time of year, with a brief calmer spell before another low-pressure system arrives.
“This could bring further heavy rain and unsettled conditions into the weekend, so we’ll be monitoring closely. Keep checking the Met Office forecast for the latest.”
With many families beginning to set off on Christmas travels the Met Office is warning motorists not to drive on flooded roads. 30 cm of moving water can float a car, and flood water often hides hazards that can damage vehicles.
Even a small amount of water entering an engine can cause severe damage.
As we get into the Christmas week high pressure is expected to build bringing drier and less mild conditions for the festive period.
Overnight frosts, mist and fog are likely, but significant cold weather should be avoided. It is too early to confirm whether there will be snow.
