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The heavy rains may cause travel chaos throughout the weekend as it coincides with the train drivers’ strike on Saturday.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for southern England and south Wales on Saturday and Sunday. Parts of Scotland are under a yellow weather warning on Saturday.
It said the downpour would cause flooding on roads and lengthen travel times, with homes and businesses also likely.
Four flood warnings and 56 flood warnings have been issued in England.
Check the weather in your area
The weather warnings on Saturday coincided with train drivers belonging to the Eslef union striking in a long-running dispute over pay, which has affected 11 operators.
Companies where no services are expected to run include Avanti West Coast, Crosscountry, Chiltern and East Midlands, while others including Great Western and Greater Anglia say services will be extremely limited.
‘No one is listening to us’
Commuters are urged to plan ahead and check before traveling throughout the weekend.
Trains that are running will start later on Saturday morning and finish much earlier than usual, with services usually running between 7.30am and 6.30pm on the day of the strike.
Asalef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We don’t want to be in this position, but no one is listening to us.
“Our members didn’t get a pay rise during the pandemic, and we’re told train companies can’t afford more than a 2% increase.”
read more:
Adam Bolton: Are we heading for a general strike?
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What is industrial action?
The rain, which is expected to be heavy, will hit parts of south Wales and southwest England between 2pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday.
In Wales, Cardiff, Swansea and Carmarthen are among the areas likely to be affected; While in England, Plymouth, Southampton and St Austell may be affected.
The Met Office said: “Rain is expected to fall across south Wales and southwest England during Saturday afternoon, moving slowly eastwards to clear most areas by early Sunday morning.
“Although the most sustained rain is expected over the hills, periods of heavy rain are expected almost anywhere. 15 to 25mm is widely expected, with some places seeing 40 to 60mm, particularly over the hills of south Wales and south-west England.
“Winds will be 45 to 55 mph over the mountains and beaches.”
Met Office map of yellow weather warnings for the next 24 hours
Parts of Scotland, including Perth and Stirling, could also see heavy rain from Saturday afternoon to midnight.
The Met Office warned that “heavy rain may cause some flooding and travel disruption” during the period.
“Rains will become persistent and heavy in the warning area by Saturday afternoon and evening,” it added.
“Accumulation of 20 to 30 mm is expected, with 45 mm possible on higher ground.
“Given the existing saturated ground, there is a risk of some localized flooding.”
From Sunday to Tuesday, the Met Office weather outlook states: “The rain in England and Wales will gradually clear from Sunday, with showers moving north.
“Rain stops in the north on Monday, with many areas dry on Tuesday.
“Fog from behind.”
Which lines are affected?
– Avanti West Coast – No service
– Chiltern Railway – No service
– Crosscountry – No service
– East Midland Railway – No service
– Great Western Railway – Very limited service will start at 7.30am and end around 9.30am.
– Greater Anglia – A very limited service will operate
– London North Eastern Railway – A very limited service will operate
– London Northwestern Railway – No service
– Lumo – Trains will only run between Edinburgh and Newcastle.
– Northern – No service
– Southeast – No service
– TransPennine Express – A very limited service will operate.
– West Midland Railway – No service
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