UK weather: Storm Babet to bring heavy rain and strong winds to UK as Met Office issues warning

Storm Babet is set to hit the UK this week, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, with “significant and widespread disruption” possible in Scotland.

The Met Office said the storm, named on Monday, is forecast to bring “impactful heavy rain” to the UK from Wednesday.

Strong winds will accompany the storm.

There is a “chance of extremely heavy rain to cause flooding and disruption” – as well as “strong south-easterly winds”, which would “exacerbate” any impacts, the forecaster added.

A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for central and eastern Scotland, where up to 150-200 mm of rain could accumulate in some areas of higher ground.

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Yellow rain warnings are in place from 6am on Thursday until midnight on Saturday, mainly in the Grampian region.

A yellow rain warning is also in place for parts of eastern England, southern Scotland and the Pennines from 9pm Wednesday until 6am Saturday, with “very wet weather” expected.

‘Winds of 60mph possible’

Scotland saw heavy flooding last week with major travel disruption and 10 people airlifted to safety after extreme rainfall caused multiple landslides.

Deputy chief meteorologist Steven Keates said the rain forecast for Scotland later this week could fall on ground “already saturated after recent heavy rainfall”.

“This could lead to some significant and widespread disruption,” he said.

“As well as heavy rain, Storm Babet will bring some very strong winds and large waves near some eastern coasts too,” Mr Keates added.

“Gusts in excess of 60mph are possible in eastern and northern Scotland from Thursday.”

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‘Get prepared and stay safe’

David Morgan, from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), urged people to be prepared for potential flooding.

He said there was concern surface flooding could be made worse because of debris brought down in high winds blocking drains.

“If you live or work in an area that could be affected, consider any steps you need to take now to be prepared and stay safe, and to take extra care if you need to travel,” he said.

Sky News meteorologist Chris England said: “Gusty winds will bring a risk of severe gales to parts of northern and eastern Scotland, especially to the lee of the mountains.”

He added that while there is the chance of localised flooding, details are uncertain at this point.

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The rest of the UK will see a change to “milder but much more unsettled conditions from midweek”, he said, with strong winds and prolonged heavy rain expected across much of the country.

Storm Babet is the second named storm of the season, after Storm Agnes swept through the UK and Ireland in late September.

Storms are named when they are deemed to have the potential to cause “medium” or “high” impacts.