London weather: Met Office issues amber and yellow alert for heavy rain and gale force winds, warning weather could cause travel chaos

Don't forget your brollies today: the Met Office has just updated its weather warning, taking its alert from yellow to amber in parts of south east England and East Anglia.

 

It has also increased its forecast for rain to 30mm, up from 20mm, which is expected "quite widely".

 

Heavy rain and gale force winds are expected to hit the country from lunchtime: London, the south east, east and East Midlands are all expected to be buffeted by winds of up to 50mph, particularly on the coast, with 70mm of rain predicted in places. 

 

 

The rain and wind was “expected to cross much of southern England before clearing to the east on Saturday morning”.

 

https://twitter.com/metoffice/status/624151039630016512

 

While there is still some uncertainty about just how bad the weather will get, the Met Office has upped its warning for parts of Kent and East Anglia, saying winds of up to 45mph will hit inland areas.   

 

The weather could be intense enough to “bring disruptive wind and rain to some parts” of the country, the body added. Given the large volume of traffic on Friday afternoons, travel could be particuarly chaotic in affected parts of the country. 

 

“The public should be aware of the potential for disruption particularly for those engaged in outdoor activities.” 

 

The distinctly un-summery weather is being caused by an area of low pressure, which will run northeastwards close to southern England until Saturday morning.