Yahoo News Greater Manchester's weather as Met Office and flood warnings hit North West
Warnings have been issued across the North West as the region looks set to be battered by rain and heavy wind. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather force for wind along the North West coast, which is in place until 3pm today (April 9).
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has issued seven red flood warnings in the North West, including three along the Mersey estuary in Warrington - covering the Knutsford Road, Arpley Bridge and Fiddlers Ferry areas. It comes as low pressure is sweeping the UK, just days after the country was battered by Storm Kathleen, according to the Met Office.
Greater Manchester looks set to avoid the worst of the turbulent weather today, with the area away from the Met Office weather warning and with no flood alerts as of 8.30am today. But forecasters are still expecting the region to be hit by heavy downpours and strong winds later this morning and into the afternoon.
In Manchester, strong winds are expected from 10am, with wind gusts of up to 44mph at 4pm according to the Met Office. Similar conditions are expected elsewhere in Greater Manchester.
But Wigan could see the strongest gusts of winds at 47mph, according to the Met Office. Wind speeds are expected to calm down later tonight.
The Met Office is forecasting heavy rain from 10am until 3pm for most of Greater Manchester, while some areas could see further rain later in the afternoon. Temperatures will hit 10C in some areas, and drop to a low of 4C overnight.
In addition to the three issued in Warrington, other flood warnings have been issued for New Brighton on the Wirral, the Wyre estuary at Thornton and Sunderland Point in Lancashire, and the south Cumbrian coastline. In areas covered by red warnings, flooding is expected and the Environment Agency is urging residents to 'act now'.
Harry Walton, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Due to a combination of spring tides and strong winds generating storm surge and large waves, minor coastal flooding impacts are probable for parts of England on Monday and Tuesday. Environment Agency teams are out on the ground, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding and support those communities affected.
"We urge people to stay safe on the coast, take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades, and we advise people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.” Nine less severe amber flood alerts have also been issued in Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside, plus a further 10 in Cumbria.
