More flood warnings as UK’s wet weather set to continue

Anyone hoping for relief from the UK’s wet weather may be disappointed next week, with more flooding expected and patches of snow forecast.The Environment Agency has issued 73 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, mainly in areas of the south-west of England and the Midlands. There are also 177 flood alerts – which indicate possible flooding – in place across England.According to Natural Resources Wales, two flood alerts are in place in South Pembrokeshire and the Lower Severn catchment in Powys. The Met Office said blustery showers would spread across many areas overnight on Sunday, with chilly temperatures for many and frost in the north.Monday will bring sunny spells and showers, with some heavy rainfall expected. There is a risk of hail and thunderstorms, as well as snow showers in the far north. It will be largely drier and brighter on Tuesday.There will be the risk of some rain and snow in the south on Wednesday and Thursday but it will be mostly dry in the north, according to the Met Office. Although there are no weather warnings currently in place, the Met Office said it may have to issue them as conditions evolve later this week.Provisional statistics published earlier this month by the Met Office show Northern Ireland experienced its wettest January in 149 years and second wettest on record.Southern England recorded its sixth wettest January since the data series began in 1836. Parts of Devon, Cornwall and Worcestershire had rainfall for 40 consecutive days.Since the beginning of this year, storms Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra have brought misery for people and businesses, with flooding in several regions including Devon and Somerset.The wet weather is not expected to ease next weekend, with longer spells of rain predicted on Friday and over the weekend.The Met Office said the weather was likely to be unsettled heading into the weekend but there would be some drier interludes between weather systems.