Storm Babet - Extreme rainfall NE Scotland and widely elsewhere*

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2023-10-19

An unusually early warning for the low possibility of some extreme rainfall for NE Scotland at the end of the week. Note the text of the warning!

Please keep a close eye on this one and be prepared to act if necessary. Ensure that if you live in an at risk area that you are ready.
https://ready.scot/respond/severe-weather/rain-and-flooding

*[Please note - title edited again by MNHQ at OP's request to reflect evolving situation]

I had the Northern Power Grid alert as well.

Snow has never really lost its charm for me. Been in the NE for 53 years, and we used to have some cracking snow, and get cut off, and not have to struggle to work, and get stay at home beside a roaring coal fire (Wear Valley (not Weardale!)) Last time we had any decent snow was 2010, if memory serves correctly

There might be some thunder associated with tomorrows showers in the south.

Surely St Andrews is right in the worst possible area so travelling up there is not recommended.

@OhYouBadBadKitten Chance of thunder in the South, you say? <glowers>

Does anyone know if it will be difficult driving from Edinburgh to Dunfermline tomorrow morning?
I know the bridges are closed so will have to go the round about way.
Just worried about how bad it might be

The best from the East gave us a decent covering but the 2010 snow lasted 3 months, where I was living at the time. That place could have snow on the ground while it was just wet, here, a few miles away, though.

I also got the Northern Power grid message.

@SequentialAnalyst The 2010 snow was awesome. It lasted a whole 6 weeks. At the time, I owned a café and the footpaths outside were treacherous. Every time I went outside to clear the pavement, there would be a huge fall of snow from the roof. I remember getting out of the car outside the door and having to climb over a 5ft bank of snow / ice piled up where the path met the road. Totally mad and whilst it wasn't much fun to drive in, I had some lovely winter walks. Also have fond memories of standing outside the pub and putting my glass on the outdoor picnic table where it promptly disappeared in the snow!

@PickAChew @RainbowZebraWarrior That's what it used to be like every single year. Strangely, not in the year I first turned up here, academic year 1970-71. My room mate and her friend joined the Durham University Skiing Club, but there was very little snow that year. I myself am physically clumsy and hated games, and by the 2nd year my friends had no spare time for skiing But AIUI the Skiing Club used to ski somewhere in Weardale, every year.

Then I moved to near Crook. And realised that Tow Law, Stanley and Consett had their own much much snowier weather

Oh no I've just realised our black bin has to go out today in amber zone . Still at least I'm going to be at home to bring it in . I hope it goes without incident as it's the black bin and don't fancy having to clear up after a spillage 🤮 .
Some neighbours might have difficulty tracking their bins down when they get home from work though 😁.

The morning train from Oban to Glasgow has stopped at Taynuilt because of a tree on the line, says Roadwatch FB. It doesn't even feel that windy here, but several trees down in the area.

Another one from NE England checking in. Having been without power for 8 days during Arwen, we have all battery packs in the house charging in preparation.

Good luck to those in the red zone and those in Cork trying to clear up after what looks like horrific flooding.

Checking in from Angus. Hoping the power stays on most of all as we were without it for a good few days after Storm Arwen.

Thank you @BobBobBobbing
It was horrendous. I'm not in one of the worst-affected areas, but the some roads are still impassable due to flooding.

No changes to my thoughts from yesterday. Please refer to the Met Office warnings for guidance and if in a flood prone area ensure you are signed up for live flood updates.

https://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/
https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings

I work in Dundee and all been told to work from home. Am.in Fife and already very windy and raining. Think its going to be pretty bad

Good luck to everyone today and stay safe. It wasn't too bad here last night, but it must have gotten quite squally last night as my side garage door has been ripped wide open. Next job on my maintenance list is a new(er) door. Dad reckons he has one at his tip allotment that will fit the bill.

So many areas in Munster (Cork and Waterford mainly) were particularly badly hit:
https://www.thejournal.ie/storm-babet-flooding-cork-waterford-6201379-Oct2023/
They appear to have received a month's worth of rainfall in a day. My heart breaks for the owners of the businesses affected and the homes flooded by yesterday's rain.

My best advice is to batten down the hatches. This storm is a bad one.

I'm surprised there hasn't been more in the news about the flooding in Ireland. I had to go hunting for information on the BBC.

Very glad we got our old and leaky stained glass window encased in double glazing as it looks like it'll be getting the full force of the wind.

Agreed.
Wouldn’t be travelling there until Saturday morning but probably will stay in Cumbria and hopefully the university will put something else in place ie virtual / another date.

I hope it doesn't affect you all too badly. It's all about the rain this time. There wasn't any wind (for us).

Updated warnings by the Met Office, reflecting I think a change in the south, where the risk for the SE has diminished and an upgrade to the Midlands and south northern england where an amber warning has now been issued.
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2023-10-20&id=4d111b3a-8538-4f71-853a-ef90df58b577&details

QuietFlame if you can't get to the open day on Saturday, DD managed to do a 'talk and walk' with students from St Andrews at a later date. It took about two hours, looking around uni and St Andrews. Quite informative about how it all works and the traditions. DD also got in touch with the department where she'd be doing her degree and asked if a member of staff could give time to talk to her. Not always going to be possible, but she was very lucky that the Head of the department gave her time, she came along with examples of work, course books and we had well over an hour with her - also time for DD to look at course books after.

My area has just been put under an Amber warning for Friday from dinner time.

right at the time I need to pick the kids up from school, with no car 😩

We currently have glorious sunshine (Derbyshire Peak District) but it’s the calm before the storm. Amber warning for tomorrow. I’m using this time to secure everything in the garden and put everything ‘to bed’ where possible. Have completely filled the garden wheelie bin so that should weigh it down.

I hope everyone stays safe and that there’s not too much damage.

Oh we've gone from nothing to the edge of the amber warning!