Met Office warns Britons to prepare for floods

New yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office, signaling heavy rain and potential disruption across parts of the UK. This is in addition to existing 14-hour rain warnings already in place for large sections of England and Wales.

The new warnings cover Grampian, and Central, Tayside & Fife in Scotland, and will be active from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. The Met Office has advised that the heavy rain could lead to a slight chance of power cuts and the loss of other services. There's also a small chance of flooding that could damage homes and businesses.

Travel is also likely to be impacted, with a chance of delays or cancellations to bus and train services. Driving conditions may become difficult due to spray and road closures, and some communities could even be cut off by flooded roads.

According to the Met Office, widespread rainfall of 15 to 30 mm is expected, with some coastal areas potentially seeing as much as 50 to 80 mm. Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Hicks noted that the heavy rain and strong winds will move northeast throughout the day, followed by heavy showers and possible thunderstorms, which could include hail and strong gusts.

The warning also coincides with the first school run after the summer holidays for some, which could mean a difficult start to the day for many. The Met Office anticipates rainfall totals of 20-30 mm widely, with some areas possibly getting 40-60 mm over a 6 to 9-hour period. Conditions are expected to gradually improve from the southwest later this afternoon.