Arctic blast to move across UK as flood clean up continues

Cold Arctic weather is set to wreak havoc on the UK as communities across Wales recover from severe flooding that has inundated properties and disrupted transport and energy networks.

Storm Claudia moved away on Sunday after dumping more than a month’s worth of rain on parts of England and Wales over the weekend.

What will be left behind will be drier, calmer and significantly cooler weather. Snow is possible at higher elevations in the northern half of England until Tuesday.

People gather together as a cold wave is coming Help residents and business owners in Monmouth, Wales, recover from unprecedented flooding.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service announced there was a major incident in the town on Saturday morning, with crews helping dozens of people to safety.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) published Four severe flood warnings There is concern for a “significant risk to life” in Monmouth. The Monnow River reached record levels, surpassing levels recorded during Storm Dennis in 2020 and Storm Bert in 2024.

Fire officials said the major incident declaration will remain in effect until power is restored. Disruptions to rail services in England and Wales are also expected to last until Sunday afternoon.

While this low pressure system is replaced by mostly calm and dry weather, a few showers may arrive on the exposed east coast on Sunday and Monday.

High temperatures of 5-10°C are expected across much of the UK in the coming days.

On Tuesday, low pressure will bring rain and sleet, while there is a chance of snow at higher elevations in the northern half of the UK.

Midweek will be cold with gusty northerly winds, with sleet and snow showers expected mostly along the north and east coasts, as well as the moors of Northern Ireland, west Wales and possibly south-west England.

The significant drop in temperature is due to the change in wind direction.

Since the beginning of this month, the generally southerly wind from the Canary Islands brings a very light but cloudy, tropical maritime air mass.

This order will change. The UK, which is on the warm side of the jet stream, will be on the colder side.

People were rescued from their homes during major flooding in Monmouth. Some had to be evacuated to a nearby library.

Monmouthshire MP Catherine Fookes said this was a “really worrying time” for residents and businesses and existing flood defenses needed to be reviewed as the “major clean-up” continued.

“This community is incredibly resilient and kind,” Fookes said.

The town’s fire and rescue department said hundreds of homes were left without power.

There was a flood Less severe in Englandhowever, there remains an ongoing risk due to 42 flood warnings.

Weather conditions also caused major disruptions to railway networks.

Great Western Railway said all lines between Swindon and Bristol Parkway were closed on Sunday morning and services between London Paddington and Swansea were affected. The outage is expected to last until noon.

National Rail warned passengers check before traveling and the AA told drivers to avoid traveling in “hazardous weather”.

Additional reporting by Nicholas Bourne