WEATHER conditions across the Wellington area are set to worsen from Monday evening (January 26) with a more severe ‘danger to life’ amber warning issued by the Met Office.

A deep area of low pressure named Storm Chandra will start to sweep across the area from about 5 pm and last through the night until 9 am on Tuesday.

The amber alert is for heavy rain which comes on top of an existing yellow warning for a wider area of Somerset covering Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

The Met Office has advised against driving during the storm because road conditions could become dangerous.

It said homes and businesses were likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings, and fast flowing or deep floodwater was likely to be a danger to life.

Delays and cancellations to train and bus services were likely and there was a risk that some communities would be cut off by flooded roads.

Spray and flooding would lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures, and power cuts and loss of other services to homes and businesses were likely, while landslides were possible in prone locations.

Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: “Storm Chandra will bring a range of hazards to the UK through Monday night and Tuesday.

“Initially strong winds will impact the Isles of Scilly, western Cornwall, and South West Wales which are still vulnerable after Storm Goretti.

“Gusts of 70 to 80 mph are possible here.

“Heavy rain is an additional hazard as it falls on saturated ground in Dorset and southern parts of Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall.

“As Chandra interacts with colder air further north, snow becomes a hazard, with 10 to 20cm of snow possibly accumulating over higher ground.

“With a complex spell of weather, it is important people stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings in your area.”

The Met Office said the heavy rain would be hazardous as it would fall on sensitive areas which had already become saturated after persistent wet weather over several days and could lead to ‘some flooding impacts’.

Between an inch and two inches of rain is expected to be dumped on the Wellington area, with up to three inches on higher ground.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Keep yourself and others safe, prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions.

“If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously.

“It is not safe to drive, walk, or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible, and if you are

affected by fast flowing or deep-water call 999, and wait for help.

“Preparing a flood kit could save you from loss or damage due to flooding to your home or business.

“In your flood kit have insurance and any other important documents, a torch and spare batteries, a first aid kit, prescription medicines, and supplies for looking after your family members or pets, and warm, waterproof clothes, blankets, food, and water.

“Consider checking on vulnerable people that you know, including older people, those with underlying conditions, and those who live alone, they may need support with food and medical supplies.

“If you are worried about your health or that of somebody you know, ring NHS 111.”