We have received the latest update from our colleagues in the Met Office:
'Atlantic weather fronts will bring spells of rain across the Northwest today and overnight with the focus for the larger rainfall totals very firmly across Cumbria and Lancashire. The first rain is already showing its hand across Cumbria and will become more extensive and at times heavy this afternoon and evening. The main difference between this morning and 24 hours ago (when no warnings were planned for this event) is the increased signal in the forecast data for some bursts of high intensity rainfall almost anywhere across Cumbria and the N half of Lancashire towards the back end of the event i.e. later this evening and overnight. Given this we have this morning, in consultation with the EA and the Flood Forecasting Centre, issued a yellow warning for rain covering Cumbria and Lancashire N of Preston, with a risk assessment of a very low likelihood of medium impacts (VL/M) and validity running from midday today to 03:00 tomorrow morning, by which time all the heavier rain should be through.
This morning’s Flood Guidance Statement shows the corresponding area of Cumbria and cent/N Lancashire flagged up as yellow with a very low likelihood of significant flooding impacts, this risk derived from both surface water excess and river effects. Fortunately any pockets of very heavy rain are more likely to occur after traffic flows have subsided this evening but some disruption on both the roads and rails is possible.
Thereafter, the remainder of this week and into the weekend looks relatively benign, albeit rather changeable with further rain/showers at times, accompanied at times by a brisk W to NW breeze, none of the rain, however, looking disruptive in nature.'