A new weather warning in Lancashire has been issued by the Met Office after heavy rain brought flooding chaos to the region.
With temperatures expected to tumble to -7C in places overnight tonight, the forecaster has issued an 18-hour weather warning for ice which will ‘lead to some difficult travel conditions’. It will come into force at 4pm today (January 1) and remain until 10am on Thursday (January 2).
Meanwhile, two separate weather for rain have now been lifted. An amber warning for central and eastern parts of the county was in force until 9am while a separate yellow warning ended at 11am.
Large parts of Lancashire have been battered by torrential downpours over the past 24 hours leading to numerous road closures. The Environment Agency said properties in Ribchester have been flooded while 26 flood warnings and eight flood alerts remain in place.
The latest Met Office forecast shows mercury levels will struggle to rise above 7C on New Year’s Day before dropping quickly this evening. Lows of -3C are expected at 3am on January 2, however forecasters say it will feel like 07C due to the wind chill.
The ice warning states: “A band of rain, sleet and hill snow will clear southwards during Wednesday afternoon and evening. As skies clear in its wake, and with standing water following earlier rain in places, ice is likely to form quite quickly on untreated surfaces, leading to difficult travel conditions.
“Wintry showers are also likely along some north-facing coasts overnight, increasing the chance of ice in places.”
Latest 5-day Met Office forecast for the region
Today:
Heavy rain for many at first, this clearing through the morning. Brighter for a time but blustery wintry showers then moving south. Notably colder than of late and becoming windy at times. Maximum temperature 6C.
Tonight:
Showers moving southwards this evening, these turning wintry in places before fading away by midnight. Skies widely clearing and turning very cold and frosty with ice forming on untreated surfaces. Minimum temperature -5C.
Thursday:
A frosty start for most, but thereafter a dry and cold day with plenty of crisp winter sunshine. A light northerly breeze. Quickly turning very cold and frosty after dark. Maximum temperature 3C.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Staying cold but mostly dry. Many areas seeing some sunshine by day but clear skies overnight allowing moderate to severe frosts and patchy freezing fog and ice. Isolated wintry showers.
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