- Yellow warning issued for heavy rain and flooding across
multiple UK regions this weekend.
- Drivers urged to avoid flood water and check traffic updates
to prevent delays.
- “Slow down and leave extra space - conditions will be
challenging,” - AA expert Patrol Shaun Jones.
The AA is advising drivers to be cautious of spray and flooding,
as the Met Office issues a
Yellow weather covering large parts of the west and northern
parts of the country.
The warning is in place between 0600 on Saturday 20 September,
and 0600 on Sunday 21 September, in the following areas: parts of
the East Midlands; North East England; North West England; SW
Scotland; Wales; West Midlands; and Yorkshire and the Humber.
A band of rain, heavy at times, across Wales, northern England
and southern Scotland is expected to remain slow-moving during
Saturday morning before making erratic eastward progress,
eventually clearing early on Sunday.
Around 20-30 mm of rain is likely to fall quite widely and there
is a chance that 60-80 mm of rain could fall in places. As the
area of rain clears east, a spell of strong north-westerly winds
may develop later Saturday and Sunday morning, most likely
towards North Sea coasts.
The AA is alerting drivers that spray and flooding could lead to
difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
Shaun Jones, expert AA Patrol, said: “If travel is essential,
drive at a reduced speed to suit the conditions and maintain a
safe distance from other vehicles. Allow extra time for your
journey, as delays are likely, and make sure your vehicle has
sufficient fuel or electric charge before setting off.
“During heavy rainfall, water can quickly accumulate on roads,
leading to flash flooding. Just one incident can cause
significant delays, so stay updated with local traffic reports
and adjust your speed to suit the conditions. Never attempt to
drive through flood water. If your vehicle begins to aquaplane,
gently ease off the accelerator to regain control.
“Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and download
the AA
app and what3words to
help us get to you faster if the worse should happen.”
Live traffic updates are available at https://www.theaa.com/route-planner/traffic-news
Wet weather
Rule 227
Wet weather. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least
double those required for stopping on dry roads (see ‘Typical
stopping distances'). This is because your tyres have less grip
on the road. In wet weather
- you should keep well back from the vehicle in front. This
will increase your ability to see and plan ahead
- if the steering becomes unresponsive, it probably means that
water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road. Ease off
the accelerator and slow down gradually
- the rain and spray from vehicles may make it difficult to see
and be seen
Regions and local authorities affected:
East Midlands: Derbyshire
North East England: Darlington; Durham;
Gateshead; Hartlepool; Middlesbrough; Newcastle upon Tyne; North
Tyneside; Northumberland; Redcar and Cleveland; South Tyneside;
Stockton-on-Tees; Sunderland
North West England: Blackburn with Darwen;
Blackpool; Cheshire East; Cheshire West and Chester; Cumbria;
Greater Manchester; Halton; Lancashire; Merseyside; Warrington
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders: Dumfries and
Galloway; East Lothian; Scottish Borders
Wales: Bridgend; Carmarthenshire; Ceredigion;
Conwy; Denbighshire; Flintshire; Gwynedd; Isle of Anglesey;
Merthyr Tydfil; Neath Port Talbot; Pembrokeshire; Powys; Rhondda
Cynon Taf; Swansea; Wrexham
West Midlands: Herefordshire; Shropshire;
Staffordshire; Stoke-on-Trent; Telford and Wrekin
Yorkshire & Humber: East Riding of
Yorkshire; North Yorkshire; South Yorkshire; West Yorkshire; York
ENDS
AA app
Live traffic updates are available at https://www.theaa.com/route-planner/traffic-news
