STORMS may bring a month’s worth of rain in 48 hours as summer finally gives way to autumn, forecasters said yesterday.
Millions drenched over a soggy weekend can expect worse to come with much of England and Wales under an amber weather warning.
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Some could see 120mm (4.7ins) — well over the typical 60-90mm September total — before a cold spell with frosts kicks in.
It follows torrential rain in many areas on Saturday and, yesterday in the South West, with sandbags distributed in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, to protect homes.
The town’s Morrisons store was closed as water poured through the roof.
That band of rain will push North and West today, with severe downpours due between 5am and 9pm from Gloucester up to Hull.
Met Office expert Frank Saunders said: “The new working week begins with rain across a large swathe of England and Wales.
“It’s likely some parts will be worse affected than others.
“It all depends on where, and if, the weather system responsible for the heavy rain stalls and pivots.
“However, within this warning period — which encompasses two rush-hours — a few areas could see in excess of 100mm of rain.
“This brings the potential for travel disruption and localised flooding.”
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick added: “The spell of settled warmer weather has gone and we are going to see a downward trend in temperatures.
“There will be a cold spell in some places from Wednesday with grass frost and temperatures could be below average in northern England and Scotland.
“It’s safe to say autumn has well and truly arrived.”
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