Birmingham amber weather warning explained as Midlands faces 14-hour wall of rain

Risk of communities being cut off, power cuts and public transport delays and cancellations all highlighted by Met Office

Birmingham and the wider West Midlands was today at the centre of an amber weather warning with the region in the eye of a potential 14-hour wall of rain. The Met Office warned more than a month's rain could fall in some parts - bringing the prospect of flooding after the region was battered by torrential downpours and storms over the weekend.

There was a 60 per cent chance of rain at 9am, rising to 90 per cent at 10am and remaining at that point until 7pm, when it dropped to 80 per cent and then 60 per cent at 10pm and the same at 11pm.

The amber warning came into force at 5am and will last until 9pm, sweeping over Worcester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hull. Some affected areas could see 100 to 120mm of rain and forecasters warned there may be more warnings in the week ahead.

READ MORE: West Mids floods as Met Office issues amber warning for heavy rainfall - updates

Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said: “First thing on Monday morning then we see an amber weather warning come into force. It stretches between Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and up towards the Wash and the Humber.

“This area in particular, during Monday, we could see over a month’s worth of rain falling, and with the rain we’ve already seen over the last couple of days this certainly has the potential to bring some disruption and flooding in locations and here it is very important we do take care over the course of the day.

“There is a broader yellow rain warning that encompasses much other areas of England and Wales as well.”

As of 5am, 13 flood warnings – meaning flooding was expected – were issued for England by the Environment Agency. Areas affected by the flood warnings include Atherstone, near Tamworth, Leighton Buzzard and Luton in Bedfordshire and parts of London including Wimbledon and South Ruislip.

Mr Vautrey also warned temperatures were set to drop to below-average levels for the time of year across the country. He said: “During the forthcoming week, though, we see northerly winds starting to push their way in, so the cooling trend is going to continue for all of us.

“Parts of Scotland will certainly see that by already Monday and into Tuesday, with temperatures slipping down into the low teens in places, but that cool and cold air will eventually reach many areas of the UK by the time we head throughout the rest of the week.

“So all of us will start to see temperatures dropping below average for the time of year as we head towards the end of the week.”

The amber warning means:

Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures Homes and businesses may be flooded, causing damage to some buildings Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely A possibility that some communities will be cut off by flooded roads Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely