UK weather maps show when Somerset faces another drenching with more heavy rain

After a very wet few days, which led to flooding in parts of Somerset, they will be a brief drier interlude. But the heavy rain is set to arrive back with a vengeance later this week.

Early provisional figures show some places in Oxfordshire had in excess of 100mm of rain on Monday, with South Newington seeing 111.4mm of rain, which is more than double the county’s long-term average for September. Flood warnings were issued across parts of Somerset as heavy rain fell, although they have now been removed.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “The rainfall from Monday has now cleared away to leave a drier interlude for many, whilst some residual rain moves southwards across parts of Scotland. This drier spell will last until early Wednesday for most, before the next area of low pressure brings further rain later on Wednesday and into the latter part of the week.

READ MORE:Live: Crash blocks road through Somerset in both directions

READ MORE:Travel warning as huge excavators are escorted through Somerset

“Further rain is likely for parts of England and Wales on Thursday. If and where this falls on saturated ground, the sensitivity to potential impacts is increased. At present, the heaviest rain looks like falling across east-facing hills of northern England, although there is some uncertainty in the regional focus.”

A warning for rain has been issued in northern and eastern areas of England on Thursday, with the highest rainfall totals likely across the Pennines and North York Moors where 80-100mm could accumulate during the day, while others within the warning area could see 20-30mm quite widely, and in excess of 50mm in some locations.

While there is no weather warning yet in place for rain for Somerset, the Met Office weather maps and forecast predict more of the wet stuff. The Met Office forecasts heavy rain from between 1pm to 7pm, with a 90 per cent chance, on Wednesday.

And at around 6.45pm, maps show a very heavy band of rain of up to 32mm an hour falling in parts of the county around the Dulverton and Chard areas, before striking Minehead and Bridgwater an hour later.

But after a wet day for many on Thursday, Friday will see further outbreaks of rain in central and southern areas of the UK, with some sunny spells further north. It’ll also be turning cooler for much of the UK ahead of the weekend, with a shift in the dominant weather regime. The weekend though appears to be mainly dry.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Brent Walker said: “After the rain through much of this week, things will be turning decidedly cooler into the weekend, with frost likely for much of the UK overnight on Friday and a more autumnal feel to daytime temperatures.

“A north-westerly flow of air is developing, bringing cooler air from the north over the UK and dropping temperatures into the weekend and possibly below freezing overnight for some. Some isolated showers are possible through the weekend, though it will largely be drier for many, with some sunny spells.

“There’s potential for further wet and windy weather late on Sunday and into the start of next week, though there is much detail to be determined on the exact conditions so stay up to date with the latest forecast.”

SOUTH WEST FORECAST

Today:

Often dry and cloudy for many with a chance of a few brief showers. Occasional sunny intervals developing, these perhaps more prolonged later. Feeling cooler than on Monday. Maximum temperature 16 °C.

Tonight:

Most places remaining dry overnight with clear spells but a few showers remain possible, these mostly in coastal regions. Winds becoming light. Minimum temperature 10 °C.

Wednesday:

Bright spells and showers during the morning then more general periods of rain through the afternoon, heavy at times. Turning windier. Maximum temperature 16 °C.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:

Unsettled and blustery with heavy thundery showers on Thursday. Cloudier with showery rain in places on Friday then chilly overnight. Many places fine on Saturday.