Super Tide And Strong Winds Brew Up Flood Risk

"Super tides", 50mph winds and large waves are threatening to combine to bring flooding misery for coastal communities in England.

The biggest flood risk is in the South West, with four "immediate action required" warnings issued by the Environment Agency (EA), mainly for the Somerset coast; and three for the North West.

Two warnings are also in place around the Wye Estuary in the Midlands. There are also dozens of lower-level amber flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible.

"It's possible we could see some large waves and spray and urge people to take care near coastal paths and promenades and not to drive through flood water," said the EA's flood risk manager Jonathan Day.

The spring "super tides" occur regularly when the gravitational pull of the sun and moon combine.

But the pull of the planets is also at an 18-year peak, making the tides slightly bigger this year, according to the EA.

Surfers on the River Severn made the best of the tidal boost, riding the incoming bore wave on Saturday morning.

Crowds gathered on the banks to watch the phenomenon, which at its peak can reach 13mph and three metres in height.

Saturday's wave was one of several large surges expected in February and March.

Meanwhile, heavy snow is also set to add to a turbulent mix of weekend weather, causing travel problems in Pennine areas and the Highlands.

Parts of England's South East have already had snow this weekend, with rural areas of East Sussex, Surrey and Kent seeing some picture postcard scenes.

The Met Office said freezing temperatures on Saturday night would see more wintry showers sweeping in in the morning.

"The whole of the country will experience strong winds and severe gales over the course of [Sunday], meaning it will be a wet and windy day for many - and a snowy and windy day for northern parts," said Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge.

"Winter is not over just yet."