Storm Alex: Harrogate braces for torrential rain and strong winds as Met Office issues weather warning

The two-day Amber warning for heavy rain has been issued across most of Yorkshire for Saturday and Sunday.

Heavy showers and rain may lead to flooding in homes and businesses, the Met Office has warned.

Bus and train services may be affected, with spray and flooding on roads making car journey times longer.

It will come as Storm Alex – named by the French meteorological service – moves across northern France and into the Channel, bringing potential flooding, large waves and delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport to southern England.

Most of the UK will see heavy rain and strong winds across the three-day period.

Chief meteorologist at the Met Office, Steve Ramsdale described the forecast as a “miserable end to the working week” and warned of gales between 60 and 65mph along sea fronts before another band of wet weather arrives for larger swathes of the country.

Mr Ramsdale added: “As the strong winds and rain associated with Storm Alex clear away from Britain later on Friday, another low-pressure system moves towards the UK from the east bringing further very heavy rain and strong winds to many over the weekend."

Their concerns were echoed by the Environment Agency who said: “Heavy rain will bring the potential for surface water flooding and perhaps some river flooding across the south of England on Friday.

“More widespread and persistent heavy rain across much of England will bring the potential for further river and surface water flooding over the weekend.

“We urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive though flood water, it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”

What is the weekend forecast in Harrogate?

Overnight on Friday it will stay largely cloudy, with some heavy showers through the evening.

However, cloud will thicken after midnight, bringing persistent, and at times heavy, rain through to the morning. Temperatures at 11C.

Saturday is expected to be a washout, with heavy rain forecast for much of the day and temperatures at 13C.

It will be rather cloudy on Sunday with occasional showers, heavy in places.

Monday and Tuesday are expected to be brighter once early morning low cloud and mist patches clear, although some showers are expected.

How to drive safely in heavy rain:

The first thing to do if you’re caught in heavy rain is to slow down and leave more space to the vehicle in front. Stopping distances as much as double in the wet due to a reduction in grip so you need to give yourself more time and space.

Put on your headlights. Heavy rain and spray reduces visibility for all road users. It’s important to put your headlights on not only to aid your vision but also to make your car more visible to other drivers. The Highway Code says you must use your headlights when visibility is less than 100 metres. Be careful about using fog lights, rear fogs can out-shine brake lights due to the glare and reflection from spray.

Be wary of puddles and standing water. What might look like a minor puddle at the side of the road could be hiding a deep pothole or dislodged drain cover that could cause serious damage to your car. Driving through even fairly shallow puddles could also cause aquaplaning, where your tyres’ tread is overwhelmed by the volume of water and they completely lose contact with the road. You’ll feel this as a lightening of the steering.