A GRIM warning of more heavy rain in Surrey leading to flooding has been issued this afternoon (Monday, February 3) by the Met Office.
Already, a severe weather warning for gales and driving rain has been issued for the whole of Wednesday. This could well exacerbate the flooding problems in the county, which has been plagued with severe weather since the middle of December.
Now, the Met Office is fearful that spells of heavy rain could sweep across Surrey on Friday, too.
There is some uncertainty, however, over Friday's forecast.
The Met Office, in its new alert states: "A further spell of heavy rain may affect parts of the south of England for a time late on Thursday evening and during the first part of Friday. Southeastern areas are judged as being most at risk. The public should be aware that there is more than usual uncertainty in the outcome for this period but that further flooding may occur (or be worsened in some areas) if this threat does materialise. Computer models are undecided on the outcome during this period."
A depression likely to form in the Atlantic, may track towards the south-east but there is also a computer model that shows it veering away to France, missing the south-east, says the Met Office.
Further heavy rain is predicted by the Met Office for next Saturday, too.
Meanwhile, weatherman Ian Currie, of Rickman Hill, Coulsdon,says he has measured more than 400mms (16inches) of rain since the middle of December. This figure is higher than in any other winter for at least 150 years, although 1914-15 was almost as wet, he says. In January, Mr Currie, who is editor of Weather Eye magazine, said he recorded 235mm of rain. His extensive archives have been searched and he says he cannot find another January with as much rain in East Surrey for at least 150 years.
"The groundwater levels are rising but there is a delay before they manifest themselves in flooding as all this water has to percolate through the ground first. I expect serious problems in the south-east with groundwater flooding. The Caterham Bourne at Whyteleafe is one example of where the underground waters are rising."
