Met Office issues 9-hour rare 'danger to life warning' in 3 parts of the UK

The Met Office has issued a rare amber warning in three parts of the UK, which are set to experience some of the worst of a heavy spell of rainfall on Sunday evening into Monday. The forecaster has urged residents in County Antrim, County Armagh and County Down to prepare for travel disruption, flooding, power cuts and potential threat to life, with the warning in place from 11pm to 8am. The rare amber alert - which signals an increased likelihood of severe weather impacting affected areas - comes after regions across Northern Ireland were told to prepare for up to 75mm of rain within 12 to 18 hours.

The country usually records around 89mm of rain in July - meaning it could see over half the monthly average in less than a day. "A spell of very heavy rain is expected to affect parts of east and southeast Northern Ireland during Sunday night and at first on Monday morning," a spokesperson the Met Office said.

"There remains some uncertainty in the northern extent of the heaviest rain, but some places are likely to have 50-75mm of rain in a short space of time, with a risk of flash flooding."

People leaving in the three regions most in danger of severe weather have been told to avoid travelling by road and prepare flood kits, including important documents, a torch, first-aid kit, prescription medicines and warm clothes.

Among the dangers caused by the high level of rainfall are spray and flooding problems, leading to difficult driving conditions and road closures, fast-flowing or deep flood water, posing a danger to life, and a loss of services to homes and businesses.

Most of Scotland, northern England, Wales and southwest England also remain under yellow weather warnings until 10pm on Sunday.

More warnings will come into force on Monday, with the Met Office warning of up to 40mm of rain falling in parts of England within just two hours.

The south and east of England will come under a yellow thunderstorm warning between 3am and 9pm on Monday, before also being enforced in the Midlands, northern England and Scotland from 11am.

"Certainly [there will be] a significant amount [of] rainfall in a couple of hours, which will bring some local issues," Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said.

"You will see quite a lot of water on the roads and difficult driving conditions. Hopefully nothing more significant than that. It certainly won't be an issue for any of the rivers because they are quite low [although] there is a good chance of seeing some lightning and some hail, with some gusty winds as well."