The shocking pictures and reports coming out of Cumbria this morning show the devastating effects of yesterday's severe rainfall event in northwest England, and unconfirmed figures now suggest that around 314mm (12.5 inches) of rain fell in 24 hours in Seathwaite - which if confirmed would be a new record for the British Isles.

The flooding that has occurred really is on an extraordinary scale with bridges washed away, hundreds of properties flooded and utility services disrupted. With much of the rain that fell still to filter through the river systems, further extensive flooding is expected today. Flooding has also affected parts of southwest Scotland and Wales, and there are flood warnings out for many areas. If you are worried about the flood risk for your location, please call the Environment Agency on 0845 988 1188 where they will be able to assist.

The rain has finally moved away from the northwest and is now clearing southeast England, and for many areas it is a drier and brighter day with some sunny spells. However, showers are affecting the north and west, and some of these are likely to be heavy at times.

The worrying news is that more rain is on the way for tomorrow as the next Atlantic weather system moves in. After a dry and clear evening with fog patches developing, wind and rain will arrive in the southwest of Britain and Ireland later tonight. This rain and coastal gales will then spread further north and east during tomorrow, with further heavy falls for western areas. Another 50mm (2 inches) of rain is likely again across the flood stricken areas of the northwest before the rain moves away by Saturday evening and this will not help matters at all.

Looking further ahead, and there is no sign of a let up from the relentless wind and rain with Atlantic weather systems continuing to batter Britain and Ireland, and thus the flooding worries look like continuing for some time yet.

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Our worst fears have been realised today across northwest England with relentless rainfall bringing severe and widespread flooding, and unfortunately the flooding situation is going to get worse over the next 24 hours.

Early indications are that today has been the wettest day EVER recorded in Britain and Ireland with well over 250mm falling in some spots.

More heavy rain is set to fall overnight before it finally moves away by tomorrow morning. However, the huge volume of water will then have to feed through the river systems and thus the flood risk will remain for a long time to come. If you are worried, please refer to the Environment Agency's website (or SEPA if you are in Scotland) - the links can be found in our severe weather warning.

A drier day is in store for tomorrow across the northwest, but we are afraid to report that further heavy rain is in store in the coming days and this will add to the problems.

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 Major Flooding Likely In Northwest
Added : Thu 19 November : 01:08 BST

Concern is growing for many parts of northwest England and southwest Scotland as heavy and prolonged rainfall brings an ever increasing risk of widespread flooding occurring in these regions during the next 24 to 48 hours.

A slow moving frontal system is responsible for the rain and this won't be moving anywhere fast today or tonight. Therefore many parts of Ireland, northwest England and south-western Scotland will see rain for much of the time, with some very heavy spells of rain expected. More details can be found in our Severe Weather Warning, but with over 100mm of rain likely in the next day or so, we anticipate flooding to become a major issue. If you are concerned, please check the Environment Agency website, or if you are in Scotland, check the Scottish Environment Protection Agency website for all the flood warnings - the links to these websites are given in our Severe Weather Warning.

Away from these areas, it will actually be a mainly dry day with some sunny spells developing in the southeast. Parts of Wales may see some rain at times, but it will remain mostly dry if cloudy for a lot of the time. It will be very mild everywhere as those strong south-westerly winds drag up some warm air, but it won't feel that mild out in the wind and rain.

The rain continues in the north and west tonight, before gradually making its way south-eastwards across England and Wales tomorrow. This will allow brighter conditions to follow in behind, but this looks like being a temporary rest bite as more heavy rain sweeps in from the west on Saturday - worrying news for what will be flood stricken areas by then.

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