UK weather: Motorway floods as southern England is drenched by two inches of rain

More than an inch of rain is set to fall during the big getaway today, with forecasters warning of difficult driving conditions, road closures and train delays as Britons head home for Christmas.

Nearly 240 flood alerts of warnings have been imposed by the Environment Agency across the country with some areas braced for further chaos after already facing nearly two inches of rain in just 36 hours.

The M23 motorway was closed this morning in both directions near Crawley in West Sussex due to flooding, with Highways England saying there was ‘quite a flow of water’ which its contractors were trying to deal with. 

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for up to 1.2in (30mm) of rain to fall in southern England this morning, before a further alert for a similar mount in the same area over the weekend.

Heavy rainfall caused major disruption on the Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express network this morning, with Southern saying: ‘We strongly advise to NOT travel at this time between Brighton and Gatwick Airport.’ 

The M23 motorway was closed today in both directions near Crawley in West Sussex due to flooding, with delays building 

Flooding on the tracks at East Grinstead station in West Sussex, as a Southern Rail train is pictured on the opposite platform

Flooding on the tracks at East Grinstead station in West Sussex, as a Southern Rail train is pictured on the opposite platform

Delays are expected to continue until 2pm, with Southern warning – on the third day in a row of major disruption – that alternative routes are ‘limited’, and told passengers: ‘You should make your own way to your destination.’

Forecasters say homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings, delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible and spray and flooding could lead to problems on the roads. 

Some communities may even be cut off by flooded roads, after Devon and Cornwall Police declared a major incident yesterday with rain leaving roads impassable – with the A30 bypass at Hayle temporarily closed.

Cardinham in Cornwall saw 2in (52mm) of rain over 36 hours while Bastreet Downs got 2.1in (53.4mm). Flooding has also affected large swathes of the South and Midlands, with 46 flood warnings and 193 flood alerts in place.

Yellow weather warnings for rain remain in place for large swathes of the south until midday on Sunday, but forecasters are predicting that the situation in Cornwall will improve. 

Rail passengers queue up for a bus replacement service at Haywards Heath station in West Sussex this morning

Rail passengers queue up for a bus replacement service at Haywards Heath station in West Sussex this morning

Heavy rain is affecting rush hour commuters across Britain, with the worst of it on the eastern coast and South West

Heavy rain is affecting rush hour commuters across Britain, with the worst of it on the eastern coast and South West

A spokesman for the Met Office said: ‘There will be some showers around but nowhere near as much rain as today.’ But he added: ‘More rain is coming from the south through the night and tomorrow.

‘Most of the rain will be in the eastern part, eastern England and Scotland, gradually improving throughout the day. It does look, as we head into next week, that the weather will turn drier.’

Norfolk and Suffolk Police said parts of both counties had been inundated as of this morning. The Environment Agency said it was monitoring the situation and the public were advised to remain vigilant. 

Forecasters said they believe the Christmas period should be drier, with an increased risk of frost and patchy fog – although the start of next week is likely to start unsettled and possibly windy, with further showers.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: ‘It’ll feel a little more festive as we head into Christmas week, with colder temperatures and a return to frosts.’

Nearly 240 flood alerts of warnings have been imposed by the Environment Agency across the country today

Nearly 240 flood alerts of warnings have been imposed by the Environment Agency across the country today

Families will make an estimated 31.2million leisure trips between Tuesday and Christmas Eve – the highest number since 2013

Families will make an estimated 31.2million leisure trips between Tuesday and Christmas Eve – the highest number since 2013

Festive travellers were warned to take care on the roads amid possible frosts next week. Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said preparations have been made to help ensure safe travel over Christmas.

More than 4,500 seasonal treatment works on the trunk road network and 1,800 patrols have already taken place, using over 123,000 tonnes of salt. The Met Office predict sub-zero temperatures after showers this weekend.

Meanwhile the Environment Agency told flood-hit communities today that many regions are actually still in ‘drought’ – particularly East Anglia, where rainfall has been below the long-term average in recent years.

Chiefs want the wet weather to continue until March to replenish parched underground water sources and aquifers, with Anglian Water saying ‘significant rainfall’ is needed to avoid ‘water restrictions’ next year.

Tomorrow's forecast

Tomorrow's temperatures

Further rain is expected tomorrow with southern England expected to be hit again, while temperatures will top 11C (52F)

Sunday's forecast

Sunday's temperatures

Sunday will also see rain fall in the South and many parts of the North and Scotland, with similar temperatures expected

The plea will come as a shock to residents whose homes have been flooded, and farmers whose fields are swamped. Entire fields of potatoes have been ruined because machinery can’t get in to dig them out.

The Environment Agency said the deluge over the last few weeks has helped but to really make a difference they want to see above-average rainfall continuing through to the early months of next year.

An EA spokesman said today ‘November was the third month in a row that East Anglia received above average rainfall. Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk received more than 116 per cent long term average rainfall.

‘The rainfall has reduced the soil moisture deficit which means groundwater is recharging. But we will remain in drought conditions until the groundwater has recharged sufficiently and are at or near normal levels.’

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