The Met Office has flooding possible warnings active right now for large parts of the UK, with September 3 looking like one of those days where you really don’t want to get caught out.
But there’s more to this story than just another rainy Wednesday.
What’s Happening Right Now
The yellow weather warning kicked in at midnight and won’t lift until 2pm today. That means flooding possible conditions are active across south-west England and much of South Wales as you’re reading this.
We’re not talking about a gentle drizzle here. Some areas could see 40-60mm of rain falling within just six to nine hours. To put that in perspective, that’s nearly two and a half inches of water coming down in less than half a day.
Most places covered by the warning will get 20-30mm, which might not sound like much until you think about where all that water needs to go. Storm drains, rivers, and roads that were fine yesterday might not cope today.
Where Flooding Possible Warnings Are Active Today
If you’re in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, or anywhere across South Wales, pay close attention. These are the areas where flooding possible conditions are most likely on September 3.
The warning covers a big chunk of the south-west, and it’s not just inland areas that need to worry. Coastal regions are getting hit with strong winds too, especially along the English Channel coasts where gales are likely.
Cardiff, Swansea, Plymouth, Exeter – all these areas are under the flooding possible alert today. If you live in any of these places or you’re traveling through them, now’s the time to check your route and have a backup plan ready.
Why Is It Different from Regular Rain
This flooding possible situation on September 3 comes right after the UK’s warmest summer on record. The ground conditions, combined with how much rain is falling so quickly, create the perfect storm for flooding problems.
“We’re expecting a band of heavy rain and strong winds to move north-east through the first part of Wednesday, followed by heavy showers and the risk of thunderstorms,” said Rebekah Hicks, chief meteorologist at the Met Office.
That’s weather expert speak for “it’s going to be rough out there today.”
The timing makes it worse too. This is a Wednesday morning during term time, when people are trying to get to work and kids need to get to school. Having flooding possible conditions during the morning commute is nobody’s idea of a good time.
The Real Impact of Today’s Flooding Possible Warnings
Let’s be honest about what flooding possible means for your day. Travel disruption is already happening, and it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
Bus and train services are running late or getting cancelled altogether. If you normally drive to work, expect journey times to be much longer than usual. Roads that flood regularly might be completely impassable by mid-morning.
The Met Office is warning that “some interruption to power supplies and other services is possible” today. That could mean anything from brief power cuts to problems with mobile phone signals in affected areas.
Surface water flooding is the biggest concern on September 3. This happens when rain falls faster than drains can handle it, turning roads into temporary rivers and car parks into lakes.
What the Forecast Actually Looks Like
The heavy rain started overnight and it’s moving north-east across the country. By the time most people are having their morning coffee, the worst of the flooding possible conditions should be hitting the areas under warning.
Thunderstorms are likely too, which could make the flooding possible situation even more unpredictable. When you add lightning and strong winds to heavy rain, driving becomes dangerous pretty quickly.
The good news? The weather warning ends at 2pm today, so conditions should start improving this afternoon. But that doesn’t mean the flooding possible impacts will disappear straight away – water takes time to drain away.
Staying Safe During Today’s Flooding Possible Conditions
If you absolutely have to travel on September 3, check your route before you leave. Roads that were fine yesterday might be underwater this morning.
Don’t try to drive through flood water, even if it doesn’t look deep. The rule of thumb is simple – if you can’t see the road surface, don’t risk it. Cars can float in just two feet of water, and that’s a lot less than you might think.
Public transport users should check their apps and websites before heading out. Train companies are already warning about delays and cancellations due to the flooding possible conditions.
If you live in an area that floods regularly, make sure you know where your important documents are and keep your phone charged. Most flooding won’t be serious enough to evacuate, but it’s better to be prepared.
Looking Beyond
Today’s flooding possible warnings are just the start of what’s looking like a very unsettled period for UK weather. The Met Office is forecasting more rain, wind, and potentially more flooding possible situations over the coming days.
Thursday’s looking unsettled too, with widespread showers and thunderstorms expected. The difference is that Thursday won’t have the same concentration of heavy rain that’s making September 3 so problematic.
By Friday, southern areas should start seeing better conditions, but northern and western parts of the UK might still be dealing with wet and windy weather.
The Bottom Line on Today’s Flooding Possible Warnings
September 3 is shaping up to be one of those weather days that everyone will remember. The flooding possible conditions are real, the warnings are active now, and the rain is already falling.
Most people will get through today without any major problems, but it’s going to require some patience and common sense. Check before you travel, allow extra time for journeys, and don’t take unnecessary risks with flood water.
The weather warnings are there for a reason, and the flooding possible alerts on September 3 are worth taking seriously. Stay safe, stay informed, and remember that this weather won’t last forever – even if it feels like it might this morning.
