Flood alert across UK, people warned against travel. Why does UK experience extreme weather conditions?

Are you considering traveling this weekend in the UK? Do reconsider your plans as the government has issued flood alerts across the country. Due to the recent torrential rains and the surface water that has been left behind, the government has issued 30 flood alerts, only to rescind two of them at a later date. The residents have been asked to avoid rivers due to the swelling levels caused by extreme levels of rainfall. The current 28 warnings have been issued for the Greater London area. The areas in the south that have been affected include Canterbury, Swindon, Cambridge, Luton, and Winchester.

Details of the alert

While the rest of the country except the southern part does not have a warning, the local authorities have been asked to remain on standby and also the residents have been asked to avoid unnecessary travel.
The five-day forecast for North-West England and West Midlands warns of surface water flooding and disruption to travel plans. The warning is for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

East Surrey and London

The warning specifically issued a warning for London and East Surrey. It noted that the rainfall during winters which was above normal and continued till March had led to higher levels of groundwater levels. It added that the Caterham Bourne has been in flow since mid-March and is still flowing in the Whyteleafe and Kenley areas.

While the water levels are receding in these areas, there are still possibilities of flooding.

Areas at Risk

While the entire list of areas that are affected by the floods can be found on the government website, here are some of these areas:
Caterham Bourne, Coulsdon Bourne, Beddington, Carshalton, Coulsdon, Kenley, Purley, South Croydon, Whyteleafe, Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich Ginge Brook for the Steventon area down to and including Sutton Courtenay, Lewisham, Bishops Sutton near Alresford in Hampshire, Petham Bourne, Alkham Bourne and Nailbourne including Elham, Barham, Bishopsbourne, Bridge, Patrixbourne and Bekesbourne.

FAQs:

1. Does the UK experience extreme weather conditions?
Only certain parts of the country do. Northern Ireland, Wales, and parts of Scotland which are close to the Atlantic Ocean generally experience lesser fluctuations. The southern and midlands do experience extreme weather events.

2. Which is the city in the UK which has the highest rainfall?
Cardiff is the wettest city in the UK. Every month, the city receives 96mm of rainfall. On average, 12.4 days of rainfall every month can be expected.