(Image: PA)

Met Office warns parts of UK set for 60mph winds after days of heavy rain and flooding

by · Manchester Evening News

The Met Office has warned that some parts could see winds of 60mph in the coming days. A weather warning has been issued for Sunday and comes after parts of England suffered heavy rain and localised flooding on Friday.

A Met Office amber rain warning of rain for areas of the Midlands and the south of the country, and a separate yellow rain warning for large parts of England and Wales, ended on Friday.

However a further yellow weather warning of strong winds has now been issued across the south west of England and Wales on Sunday.

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The winds will strengthen from west to east during Sunday, with gusts of 50-55 mph likely in places, exceeding 60mph in the most exposed areas.

This will be accompanied by outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, the Met Office said, which could lead to some surface water and spray.

Winds will gradually ease across Wales and inland parts of south west England through Sunday evening and night. It may remain windy along the coast in these areas overnight and it could cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport likely, along with disruption to bus and train services.

Earlier areas affected by the amber rain warning, including Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands, were hit by flash floods as the Met Office said the regions could have 30-40mm of rainfall within three hours.

Rail services between Shrewsbury in Shropshire and Wolverhampton in the West Midlands were cancelled, with disruption expected all morning, after severe flooding at Wellington station and a tree on the line earlier.

The pitch at the SEAH Stadium in Wellington, home to Telford United football club, was completely flooded on Thursday evening.

Trains between Peterborough in the East Midlands and London King's Cross were delayed because of flooding.

The Marston Vale line in Bedfordshire, which operates services between Bedford and Bletchley, is suspended until Monday because of standing water on the track.

All lines were blocked between Bicester North and Banbury in Oxfordshire, with disruption expected until 3pm.

National Highways said the M5 in Gloucestershire was closed northbound between junction 16 and junction 14 because of flooding.

The motorway had reopened southbound between J14 and J15, but hour-long delays and up to four miles of congestion were still expected both ways.