UK weather: Flood warning as parts of Britain face a month's rain in a day

Erratic weekend expected to bring rain, wind, sun, sleet and possibly snow

Parts of the UK could be drenched by a month’s rain in the space of a day as the country is hit by heavy downpours.

Flood alerts have been issued for south-east England ahead of a weekend of erratic weather which is expected to include rain, wind, sunshine, sleet and possibly even snow.

The Met Office has issued a yellow alert for rain in the region from Sunday evening until Monday night, warning that flooding could force road closures and train cancellations.

“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings,” the warning added.

“We are going to see some quite heavy rain,” said Met Office spokesman John West. “In some areas we could see 40 to 50 millimetres but in some very isolated spots we could see up to 70 millimetres.”

Some south-eastern areas could be soaked by “close to a month’s worth of rain” within the 27 hours the yellow warning is in place, he added.

Mr West said there would be a “north-south split” in the weekend’s weather, with Northern Ireland, Scotland and north England most likely to enjoy sunshine.

Wales and the rest of England are expected to be cloud and cool with showers on Saturday. Conditions are likely to be drier on Sunday morning before downpours arrive in the afternoon.

“There is also a little bit of a risk on some higher ground of a of a wintry mix – so a bit of sleet mixed in with that heavy rain,” added Mr West. “It’s certainly not going to be sledging weather, it’s just going to be cold and wintry within that heavy rain.

“The overall feel on Monday is going to be pretty bleak for people out and about travelling to work and stuck on the roads.”

The Environment Agency said widespread flooding was possible in south-east England from Sunday afternoon.

“Properties may flood and there may be travel disruption,” it said, although it added the risk was low.

The wet weather comes at the end of a month of wildly varied conditions, including snow and soaring heat.

Last Thursday temperatures hit 29.1C in St James’s Park, London, making it second hottest April day on record.

“It’s been a very, very interesting April in terms of weather,” said Mr West.