UK Storm Desmond - Cumbria

A major incident has been delcared across Cumbria in the UK due to Storm Desmond.
This storm is dumping huge amounts of rain across the region and by the time the rain stops around 6am UK time tomorrow some 300mm of rain is expected to have fallen over a wide area.
Already most rivers have flooded and many of Cumbria’s roads are blocked or impassable due to flooding. Police advising not to travel, trains have been suspended and people evacuated from their homes.
A red warning of rain (the highest level) is currently in place.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-35015243

Here is a WD weather station based in Ambleside - as at 4pm today already 123mm (4.84 inches) of rain has fallen since midnight with at least 12 hours more rain to come.

http://www.amblesidecottages.com/weather/sunnybankweather.htm

very steady rain on that graph…and steady temperature…will be from upper level system?
(which will be enhancing orographic rain (due to surface stable airmass not wanting to rise))

Yes indeed, the location and topography means the area catches more rain than surrounding areas (MAP), and as this storm is the fourth to affect the area in about 3 weeks, this prolonged spell of heavy rain is falling on already saturated ground causing unprecedented flooding. Defences built a few years ago to protect against “1 in 100 year flood events” have already been breached !!

I guess naming storms is a new thing in the UK? I would suggest “Martyn” but if they are alphabetical by year like hurricanes I doubt they would ever get to you :frowning:

LOL Thanks - yes naming of storms is new for us.
The public were asked for suggestions and the final list of names are:
Abigail, Barney, Clodagh, Desmond, Eva, Frank, Gertrude, Henry, Imogen, Jake, Katie, Lawrence, Mary, Nigel, Orla, Phil, Rhonda, Steve, Tegan, Vernon and Wendy.

Environment Agency Flood Warning Summary for England and Wales shows:

42 Severe Flood Warnings for England and Wales
94 Flood Warnings for England and Wales
74 Flood Alerts for England and Wales

Here is a page I created some time ago just for grins that shows the current weather warnings for all UK regions.

http://ucweather.org/ukwwa.php

Another article with photos.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/uk-and-ireland-wind-storm-desmond/53961331?partner=accuweather

Thanks :slight_smile:

Hope they aren’t all as bad as Desmond…

222mm for Shap in the past 36hours 8O

Provisional figures from Honister in the Lakes show an unbelievable 352mm of rain fell yesterday. Some respite for flood affected areas today, but there is more rain in the forecast this week.