UK weather forecast: Flood warnings FINALLY lifted as Britain set to bathe in sunshine
THE several flood warnings that have plagued the UK are finally set to be lifted as Britons can look forward to sunshine and dry spells.
Met Office: UK set for mist and thick cloud
Flood warnings are expected to lift as the end of the year is set to be much drier than the previous weeks, according to forecasters. Overnight on Boxing Day and into Friday morning, groundwater was expected to rise in parts of southern England and north Lincolnshire following prolonged spells of rain.
There were still 30 flood warnings in place for Boxing Day afternoon, with flooding still expected, and a further 88 alerts - meaning the likelihood of flooding still possible.
The Met Office has said a period of high pressure was expected to come in over the weekend, bringing a dry end to the year for many.
This comes after floods wreaked havoc across southern England in the run-up to the Christmas getaway.
Roads were flooded with several either slowed to a halt or shut off entirely.
Train services were also cancelled or delayed.
Claire Dinnis, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: "While the weather outlook is improving, groundwater levels continue to rise after recent rainfall meaning that there is a continued risk of groundwater flooding in parts of southern England over the next few days.
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"We continue to monitor rainfall and river levels closely and to operate our flood defences, reducing the risk of flooding to thousands of homes and businesses and helping to keep people safe.
"Our pumps also remain in place in Somerset where our focus is on reducing levels of water on Currymoor."
Met Office forecaster, Simon Partridge, said the weather on Friday will see a split, with Scotland and Northern Ireland facing wet and windy weather.
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Some gale force winds are possible, with calmer conditions expected for England and Wales.
Grey clouds will, however, cover much of England and Wales, with drizzle isolated to hills.
Temperatures will be much milder than recently, with a high of 13C (55F) in the South West.
Saturday’s weather is expected to be similarly split, with drier, brighter spells for England and Wales and rain for western Scotland.
Mr Partridge said: "After that we will generally see high pressure building at the end of the year for much of the UK, and a spell of dry weather, with temperatures near or above average."
Earlier this week rain, hail and storms caused travel chaos as Britons rushed to get home in time for Christmas.
The Met Office had initially warned that the severity of the weather may result in some roads and buildings being damaged.
For many, however, it was overcast and drizzly, with dry spells in the southeast.
The RAC estimated that some 2.5 million road trips took place during the days running up to Christmas.