UK braces for plunging temperatures as flood-hit regions begin major clean-up
Snow is forecast for parts of the UK as a sharp cold snap moves in behind Storm Claudia, the Met Office has warned, piling fresh pressure on communities already grappling with significant flooding and disruption. The storm left some of the worst damage in Wales, where a major incident was declared after the River Monnow burst its banks, forcing evacuations and rescues in Monmouth.
Natural Resources Wales recorded 119.6mm of rainfall at its Tafalog gauge in Gwent over a 12-hour period, with 80.6mm logged at Suckley in Worcestershire in the same timeframe. Emergency crews began clearing debris and assessing damage as waters slowly receded, but forecasters cautioned that the next phase of severe weather is already approaching.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: “As Storm Claudia retreats to the south, high pressure to the north-west will drive a cold northerly flow from the Arctic across the UK. This will bring much colder conditions than of late and, while generally drier than recent days, there will also be a risk of wintry hazards, such as snow and ice. There will be widespread frosts across the UK, with temperatures dipping as low as -7C in places next week, and daytime temperatures staying in single figures across the country. Couple this with a brisk northerly wind and there will be a marked wind chill. This will be a notable change in our weather after a prolonged spell of above-average temperatures.”
Claudia also brought ferocious winds to parts of north-west Wales and north-west England, with gusts of 63mph recorded at Aberdaron in Gwynedd and 68mph at Warcop Range in Cumbria. In Monmouth, where the scale of flooding overwhelmed defences, emergency services declared a major incident as water surged through the town and into surrounding communities.
Crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue worked through the night alongside Gwent Police, ambulance teams, mountain rescue volunteers, the coastguard and neighbouring fire services. They carried out welfare checks, evacuated vulnerable residents and responded to a series of urgent rescue calls. The service’s area manager, Matt Jones, said conditions on the ground were extremely challenging, with fast-moving water, blocked roads and pressure on already stretched local infrastructure.
He said: “This is a large-scale incident, and our crews and partners have been working tirelessly through the night and into today to help those affected. I want to thank everyone involved for the professionalism and care they continue to show in very difficult circumstances. I would urge the public to avoid the Monmouth area completely where possible. The flooding is significant and we need to keep routes clear to allow emergency services to reach the people who need us most. If you are in immediate danger with threat to life or property, or need urgent assistance, please call 999.”
The effects of the storm were felt far beyond Wales. The Environment Agency said 20 properties in England had flooded, including some in Cumbria, while the UK Health Security Agency issued a cold weather alert for parts of the Midlands and northern England. National Rail warned passengers to check services before travelling as disruption is expected to continue for several days.
Road travel was also affected, with storm-hit rail replacement services adding to congestion and roadside assistance companies reporting a spike in breakdowns. Operators said the combination of standing water, fallen branches and poor visibility had caught many drivers off guard.
The impact of the severe weather extended across Europe. In Portugal, an 85-year-old British woman died after extreme winds struck a campsite in Albufeira. Local officials said two people were seriously injured and three more suffered minor injuries at the site, while 23 others were hurt at a nearby hotel. The storm swept through the area for several hours, according to the national meteorological office Ipma.
Across the island of Ireland, heavy rainfall brought further problems. In Northern Ireland, a yellow-level rain warning remained in place for counties Armagh and Down, with forecasters highlighting the risk of flooding and hazardous travel. Power outages affected parts of the Republic of Ireland, leaving businesses and homes without electricity as crews worked to restore supply.
A status orange rain warning covered Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow, while a wider status yellow alert was issued for ten additional counties along the east and south coasts. Emergency services reported multiple call-outs related to surface flooding and stranded vehicles as swollen rivers continued to rise.
