More rain forecast for Saturday before cold snap hits UK

Ruth Comerford and BBC Time

Pa Media A Woman Dressed In A Brown Coat And Wide-Brimmed Brown Felt Hat Holds A Black Umbrella As She Fights The Wind At Cheltenham Racecourse. She Carries A Brown Bag And A Fur Stole Around Her Neck. — Racegoers brave wet conditions during field day at Cheltenham Racecourse

Wet conditions are expected to continue for many on Saturday morning as the UK heads into a cold snap next week.

Torrential rain occurred across much of the UK on Friday caused by Storm Claudia, which caused some flooding.

A Met Office yellow rain warning will remain in force early Saturday for much of England and Wales and dozens of flood warnings have been issued.

Beyond the weekend, freezing temperatures are expected for some, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert from 08:00 GMT on Monday until the following Friday, covering the north of England and the Midlands.

Ywaaaaaaqabaaacauwaow== | Stuff Unknown — Buckets collect rainwater at Paddington station, London

Pa Media Several Yellow And Black Plastic Buckets Collect Rainwater At Paddington Station In London As Storm Claudia Hits The Uk. — Buckets collect rainwater at Paddington station, London

Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said some areas were expected to see up to a month’s worth of rain between Friday and Saturday.

Flood defenses have been put in place in Bewdley, West Midlands, and emergency services in Shrewsbury will do the same on Saturday.

The British Red Cross said it had put its emergency response teams on alert to help communities most at risk.

In Wales, some businesses and homes in Monmouth town center are under water after the River Monnow overflows; some locals have been evacuated to the local library. The local county council urged motorists to avoid traveling within the local area and said officials were working through the night with the emergency services to help residents.

See: Weather forecast when Storm Claudia passes over the UK

Downpours on Friday have caused some travel disruption, with delays and warning cancellations from National Rail expected over the weekend.

Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, TransPennine Express, Northern and CrossCountry have all warned that services will be affected.

The AA has advised against traveling in “dangerous weather”, saying: “Safety first. Conditions can change quickly, so stay up to date and make sure you are prepared before travelling.”

The RAC urged drivers to take the amber weather warnings associated with Storm Claudia “very seriously”.

Railway Network Floods On Railway Tracks — Routes between London Paddington and Bristol and Swansea are closed due to road flooding, including here in Corsham, near Bath.

Some events have already been disrupted by the weather, including a Christmas event (Lapland, UK) in Macclesfield which was forced to close due to falling trees.

Organizers have said they will examine the track at Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, on Saturday morning ahead of the scheduled seven-race Paddy Power Gold Cup card to decide whether the race will go ahead.

Storm Claudia – named after the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) – has already brought heavy rain and strong winds to Spain and Portugal.

The storm comes as the Environment Agency warned that England will experience widespread drought next year without a wet winter.

The country has received only 83% of the average January-October precipitation, and suffered the driest spring in 132 years and the hottest summer on record.

Despite recent rains, the situation remains “precarious,” he said.