Britain will be put on ice alert with pavements and roads set to freeze overnight – after Storm Chandra brought life-threatening flooding to parts of the UK on Tuesday. 

The Met Office has issued a new yellow weather warning for ice across much of England, Scotland and Wales, which will be in effect between 12am and 10am on Wednesday. 

With temperatures set to drop below freezing overnight, the forecaster urged people to avoid ‘injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces’. 

It added that areas in the Highlands are likely to see temperatures drop to around -2C in the early hours of the morning. 

Patches of ice are most likely to be found on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. 

Commuters heading to work on Wednesday morning have been advised to check for delays and road closures, leave more time for journeys and ensure cars are functioning properly before setting off. 

The ice warning will be active just hours after Storm Chandra brought life-threatening flooding to parts of the UK, with torrential rain and strong winds seeing some areas recording their wettest January day on record.

The Met Office issued nine yellow or amber weather warnings for up to 80mm (3.1in) of rain, 20cm (8in) of snow and 80mph gusts.

A new yellow weather warning for ice across much of England, Scotland and Wales will be in place between 12am and 10am on Wednesday

Ottery St Mary in Devon has a severe flood warning today after the River Otter hit record levels

Meteorologists said at least six locations across the UK provisionally set new January daily rainfall records, with Katesbridge in Northern Ireland recording 100.8mm (4in). 

Others were Dunkeswell in Devon (52.8mm), Hurn in Dorset, Cardinham in Cornwall (both 44.4m), Plymouth in Devon (43.2mm) and Shobdon in Herefordshire (27.8mm).

Firefighters in Devon rescued people from 25 vehicles in floodwater on Tuesday, while the River Otter near Ottery St Mary reached its highest recorded level.

Hundreds of communities were on flood watch after the Environment Agency issued two ‘danger to life’ severe warnings for the Otter and the Upper Frome at Dorchester in Dorset, plus 89 other warnings for ‘expected’ flooding and 237 alerts in England.

Dozens of homes were flooded while Natural Resources Wales issued 18 alerts and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency had two warnings and 18 alerts in place.

The 35-hour low pressure system will continue to impact the country including London for the rest of on Tuesday, having swept into South West England at 1pm on Monday. 

The strongest winds will be in the South West and Wales, where 80mph gusts could hit Pembrokeshire and the Isles of Scilly; with 75mph gales expected in Northern Ireland.

A succession of Atlantic weather systems is driving wet and windy weather across the UK with snow likely on higher ground in the Pennines and Scottish mountains.

Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency activated cold health alerts for northern England from on Monday night until Friday amid a ‘greater risk to life of vulnerable people’.

Flooding in the Devon town of Axminster today as people were rescued from stranded cars

Flooding on the River Exe near Exeter in Devon today after the heavy rain from Storm Chandra 

People look at cars stuck in the flooding in the hamlet of Weycroft in Axminster, Devon, today

Ottery St Mary in Devon has a severe flood warning today after the River Otter hit record levels

Flooding in the Devon town of Axminster today as people were rescued from stranded cars

Ottery St Mary in Devon has a severe flood warning today after the River Otter hit record levels

Flooding in the Devon town of Axminster today as people were rescued from stranded cars

A car stuck in flood water on the A30 near Honiton in Devon today as Storm Chandra hits

Billy Vernon in his flooded home in Weycroft near Axminster in Devon 

People look at cars stuck in the flooding in the hamlet of Weycroft in Axminster, Devon, today

A woman carries her dog through floodwater next to the B3168 at Illminster in Somerset today

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

A woman walks through floodwater in Exeter on Tuesday morning after heavy rain from Storm Chandra

Motorists and lorries stuck in the snow in Cumbria on Tuesday morning as Storm Chandra hits

Storm Chandra whips up massive waves to batter the promenade in Penzance, Cornwall, today

A seaside chalet on Branscombe Beach in Devon has been destroyed by the winter storms

Heavy rain in Central London on Tuesday morning as Storm Chandra hits the UK

Snow falls over Middleton-in-Teesdale in County Durham

Vehicles drive through the heavy rain on the M40 motorway near Warwick

A fallen tree blocks Hall Lane in Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham

Heavy rain hits York city centre today as Storm Chandra brings travel disruption to the UK 

Commuters struggle against the rain as they cross Hampton Court Bridge in London today

Vehicles drive through the rain on the A14 motorway near Brington in Northamptonshire today

A road is flooded during Storm Chandra in Helston, Cornwall

A motorist drives through snow on the A689 in Lanehead, County Durham

A man holds an umbrella in the wind and rain as Storm Chandra hits London 

A puppy is rescued after getting swept down Uddens Water at West Moors in Dorset today

Fire crews use an inflatable boat to reach Roxy who was struggling at Uddens Water in Dorset

The dog had been trying to keep afloat at Uddens Water in West Moors in Dorset today

A woman was taken to hospital after a tree fell on her car on Snowhill Road in Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh, at 8.30am but police said her injuries are not thought to be life threatening. 

Firefighters in Devon and Somerset rescued people from 25 vehicles in flood water, although there were no casualties.

Axminster Fire Station, part of Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, posted images of multiple vehicles in flood water on Facebook.

It said: ‘Flood water can be deeper and moving faster than it appears. Driving through it can quickly lead to vehicles becoming stranded and lives being put at risk.

‘Please do not drive through flood water – turn around and find an alternative route.’

The M48 Severn Bridge was closed with the Humber Bridge shut to high-sided vehicles due to wind.

National Rail issued a warning that ‘poor weather may affect South Western Railway services until the end of the day’, while traffic between England and Wales was being diverted over the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

Gwent Police said that the A40 was flooded between Abergavenny and Raglan, while sections of several roads in Dorset, Somerset and east Devon were closed due to flooding.

National Highways said the A66 was closed between the A67, near Bowes, in County Durham and the A685, near Brough, in Cumbria because of snow.

Drivers travelling across the Pennines were advised to ‘plan ahead and consider alternate routes’.

More than 280 schools closed across Northern Ireland and more than 40 in Devon due to the weather.

Forecasters had warned that flooding and travel disruption were likely with significant snow across higher ground in some northern parts of England and Scotland. 

National Rail Enquiries said a number of railway lines are closed because of flooding. These include:

• Between Par and Newquay in Cornwall.
• Between Castle Cary and Taunton in Somerset.
• Between Salisbury in Wiltshire and both Southampton Central and Romsey in Hampshire.
• Between Eastleigh and Fareham in Hampshire.
• Between Exeter St Davids and both Okehampton and Barnstaple in Devon.

Transport for Wales said a tree was blocking the railway at Llanbister Road station near Llangunllo in Powys, meaning there were no services between Swansea and Shrewsbury.

There were multiple road closures in South West England because of flooding.

National Highways said ‘significant flooding’ has closed the A30 in Devon between the B3174/B3180 junctions near Ottery St Mary and the B3184 for Exeter airport.

It said: ‘Standing water has made the route impassable, and conditions remain hazardous.

‘Crews are monitoring water levels and working to restore safe conditions when possible.’

The A303 was closed between the A30 at Upottery in Devon and the A358 at Horton Cross, Somerset.

In Dorset, the A35 was closed in both directions between the A352 Max Gate junction and the B3150 Stinsford roundabout near Dorchester.

Devon and Cornwall Police said there was ‘significant surface water and areas of flooding across parts of the force’ due to Storm Chandra.

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

Motorists and lorries stuck in the snow in Cumbria on Tuesday morning as Storm Chandra hits

Billy Vernon in his flooded home in Weycroft near Axminster in Devon

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

Floodwater in Exeter after heavy rain from Storm Chandra

A woman carries her dog through floodwater next to the B3168 at Illminster in Somerset today

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

Vehicles driving through the rain on the M20 motorway in Ashford, Kent

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

Flooding in York today after the River Ouse burst its banks before Storm Chandra sweeps in

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

Vehicles drive through the heavy rain on the M40 motorway near Warwick

A fallen tree blocks Hall Lane in Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham

Flooding in York today after the River Ouse burst its banks before Storm Chandra sweeps in

Vehicles drive through the rain on the A14 motorway near Brington in Northamptonshire today

Heavy rain hits York city centre today as Storm Chandra brings travel disruption to the UK

A road is flooded during Storm Chandra in Helston, Cornwall

Vehicles drive through the heavy rain on the M40 motorway near Warwick

Snow falls over Middleton-in-Teesdale in County Durham 

Heavy rain in Central London as Storm Chandra hits the UK

A woman carries her dog through floodwater next to the B3168 at Illminster in Somerset today

Billy Vernon in his flooded home in Weycroft near Axminster in Devon 

A motorist pushes their car through heavy floodwater near Belfast International Airport today

Commuters hold onto umbrellas in the wind and rain on Millennium Bridge in London today

A car and its driver stuck in deep floodwater on the B315 at Burton Bradstock in Dorset today

A seaside chalet on Branscombe Beach in Devon has been destroyed by the winter storms

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

Motorists contend with heavy flooding near Belfast International Airport

‘There is widespread disruption of the roads particularly across Exeter, East and Mid Devon this morning, with many roads becoming impassable,’ a police spokesman said.

‘Please do not travel in those areas – Exeter, East and Mid Devon – at this time unless you urgently need to.

‘We are experiencing an increase in reports of people coming up against flood water.

‘Please do not attempt to drive through it. The weather is improving but rivers are still responding to earlier heavy rainfall.’

The force later released the details of the roads hit by surface water or flooding in East and Mid Devon and urged motorists to avoid them.

‘Motorists are also being asked not to attempt alternative routes around the affected areas as these are also becoming treacherous, with the fire services currently dealing with several incidents of cars becoming stuck in water,’ a spokesman said.

Current roads affected were:

• A30 Daisy Mount – both directions
• A30 – closed either end of Honiton
• London Road, Cranbrook junction at Gribble Lane
• A3052 Clyst St Mary, both approach at Cat and Fiddle and approach from Clyst St George
• A377 – impassable at Downes and Newton St Cyres
• A303 Upottery
• B3177 Iron Bridge
• A382 Wray Barton
• A396 Stoke Canon
• B3181 Five Bridges, Cullompton
• A379 Station Road, Dawlish
• A3052 Boshill Hill
• A358 Weycroft Bridge

There was a severe flood warning for the River Otter at Ottery St Mary in Devon following heavy rainfall.

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

A vehicle driving through the pooled rainwater on the A20 in Ashford, Kent

Motorists and lorries stuck in the snow in Cumbria as Storm Chandra hits

Billy Vernon in his flooded home in Weycroft near Axminster in Devon 

Vehicles drive through the rain on the A14 motorway near Brington in Northamptonshire today

Motorists contend with heavy flooding near Belfast International Airport

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

Flooding on the River Exe near Exeter in Devon today after the heavy rain from Storm Chandra

Vehicles driving through the rain on the M20 motorway in Ashford, Kent

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

A fallen tree blocks Hall Lane in Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham

Heavy rain in Central London as Storm Chandra hits the UK

A motorist pushes their car through heavy floodwater near Belfast International Airport today

Snow falls over Middleton-in-Teesdale in County Durham

A seaside chalet on Branscombe Beach in Devon has been destroyed by the winter storms

Vehicles drive through the heavy rain on the M40 motorway near Warwick 

Commuters hold onto umbrellas in the wind and rain on Millennium Bridge in London today

Flooding in York today after the River Ouse burst its banks before Storm Chandra sweeps in

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

A roadside assistance worker helps a stranded motorist stuck in heavy floods in Belfast today

A fallen tree blocks Hall Lane in Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham

Vehicles drive through the rain on the A14 motorway near Brington in Northamptonshire today

‘Severe flooding is expected this morning and flood water is expected to be deep and fast flowing,’ an Environment Agency spokesman said.

The main areas of concern were Finnimore industrial estate, Thorne Farm Way estate, Luxtons Park, Otter Mill and Tumbling Weir Way.

The Environment Agency said the River Otter at Fenny Bridges, close to Ottery St Mary, reached its highest recorded level, surpassing the previous record set in December 2000.

Levels reached 2.81m on December 7 that year but were at 2.83m at 5.45am today, with a severe flood warning issued five minutes later due to predicted overtopping of flood defences.

A spokesman said: ‘Storm Chandra brought significant rainfall across Devon and Cornwall overnight, falling on already saturated ground.

‘East Devon received 67mm of rain in the last 12 hours, with 88mm recorded at Whitebarrow on Dartmoor. Across south and mid Devon, rainfall averaged 40-50mm.

‘There are currently 33 flood alerts and 39 flood warnings in force across Devon and Cornwall. Approximately 20 properties have flooded at various locations, with this number expected to rise.’

BBC Radio Devon listener Jackie Blackford, who lives in Ottery St Mary, said she can see the River Otter from her house.

She said: ‘I live on a hill overlooking part of the Otter and it’s normally quite a nice little river. At the moment, it’s a raging torrent. It is horrendous – I’ve never seen anything like it.’

Ms Blackford said there had been a lot of traffic trying to get out of Ottery St Mary and she had seen people turning around.

Richard Foord, Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton and Sidmouth, paid tribute to council and Environment Agency staff as well as emergency services working through Storm Chandra.

He posted on social media: ‘It has been a truly horrendous night. If you live in or around Ottery St Mary, please take note of the update this morning, just received.

‘The River Otter has reached its highest recorded ever level. The Environment Agency has issued a Severe Flood Warning on the River Otter, meaning possible danger to life.

‘Flooding is expected this morning, with heavy rain continuing to fall throughout the day. We are predicting that some flood defences will be overtopped.’

He said there were reports of about 20 flooded properties across Devon and Cornwall, which was expected to increase as river levels peak and further reports were received.

Mr Foord added: ‘I want to pay tribute to staff from the Environment Agency, Devon County Council, East Devon District Council, who have been out in risky conditions to help keep residents safe. Also to emergency services personnel who have been rescuing people from floodwater.’

At least 30 flights at Belfast City Airport were cancelled today.

Some 15 departures and 15 arrivals scheduled to serve the airport were axed. The affected airlines were Aer Lingus, Aer Lingus Regional and British Airways.

All the cancelled flights were on domestic routes serving these airports: Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow, Leeds Bradford, London City, Manchester and Southampton.

Scottish regional airline Loganair cancelled at least 12 flights today.

The affected routes were between Manchester and both Newquay and the Isle of Man, between Liverpool John Lennon and the Isle of Man, and between Glasgow and Islay, Campbeltown and Tiree.

Ferry operator Stena Line cancelled numerous sailings because of ‘adverse weather’.

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

Billy Vernon in his flooded home in Weycroft near Axminster in Devon

A seaside chalet on Branscombe Beach in Devon has been destroyed by the winter storms

Flooding on the River Exe near Exeter in Devon today after the heavy rain from Storm Chandra

Heavy rain in Central London as Storm Chandra hits the UK

Motorists contend with heavy flooding near Belfast International Airport

Billy Vernon in his flooded home in Weycroft near Axminster in Devon

Vehicles drive through the rain on the A14 motorway near Brington in Northamptonshire today

Commuters hold onto umbrellas in the wind and rain on Millennium Bridge in London today

Vehicles drive through the heavy rain on the M40 motorway near Warwick

A fallen tree blocks Hall Lane in Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

Vehicles drive through the heavy rain on the M40 motorway near Warwick 

A fallen tree blocks Hall Lane in Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham

Vehicles driving through the rain on the M20 motorway in Ashford, Kent

Flooding in the Devon town of Axminster today as people were rescued from stranded cars

Flooding in York today after the River Ouse burst its banks before Storm Chandra sweeps in

Billy Vernon in his flooded home in Weycroft near Axminster in Devon

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

A fallen tree blocks Hall Lane in Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham

Flooding in York today after the River Ouse burst its banks before Storm Chandra sweeps in

Commuters hold onto umbrellas in the wind and rain on Millennium Bridge in London today

A fallen tree blocks Hall Lane in Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham

Snow falls over Middleton-in-Teesdale in County Durham

Billy Vernon’s flooded home in Weycroft near Axminster in Devon

Flooding in the Devon town of Axminster today as people were rescued from stranded cars

The River Axe has flooded Axminster in Devon today after Storm Chandra hit the UK

Heavy rain in Central London as Storm Chandra hits the UK 

These included between Belfast and Liverpool, between Belfast and Cairnryan in Scotland, between Dublin and Holyhead in North Wales, and between Fishguard in Pembrokeshire and Rosslare in Ireland.

In Scotland, operator Caledonian MacBrayne had disruption on the vast majority of its routes.

Among the routes where services are suspended were between Ardrossan and Brodick, between Troon and Brodick, between Oban and Castlebay, between Mallaig and Canna, and between Uig and Tarbert.

Several weather warnings were in force today, including amber warnings for South West England and the eastern coast of Northern Ireland for rain and wind respectively.

Read More

Going, going, gone! 150-year-old pier is destroyed by waves as Brits brace for MORE wild weather

The Met Office said gusts of 60 to 70mph will affect eastern Northern Ireland, with possible 75mph gusts in coastal locations, adding that ‘easterly winds of this strength are unusual and are likely to be impactful’.

An amber warning for wind is in place on the eastern coast of Northern Ireland from 5am to 9pm today, with an additional yellow rain and wind warning for the whole of Northern Ireland for all of today.

Across the South West of England, where Storm Ingrid wreaked havoc and washed away part of a historic pier on the weekend, forecasters expect more downpours.

An amber warning for rain is in place for south Devon, much of Dorset, southern Somerset and south-east Cornwall until 9am today, where 30 to 50mm of rain could fall widely with up to 60 to 80mm over higher ground of south Dartmoor.

Less severe yellow warnings are in place for a more extensive area of southern England, as well as parts of northern England and Scotland.

A yellow warning for wind covers Cornwall, South West Wales and parts of northern Devon from 5am to 4pm today, with an additional yellow wind warning in force for southwestern Scotland for 5am to midnight today.

Yellow warnings for rain and snow have also been issued for the Pennines and south-west Scotland from midnight to 5pm today, where 2 to 5cm of snow could fall widely and as much as 10 to 20cm could accumulate at higher elevations.

Slaney Search and Rescue workers in floodwater in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, today

People walking through floodwater in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, today

Slaney Search and Rescue workers in floodwater in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, today

Slaney Search and Rescue workers in floodwater in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, today

Floodwater flows through a street after the River Slaney burst its banks in Enniscorthy

Slaney Search and Rescue workers in floodwater in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, today

A vehicle is stuck on a flooded road in Clohamon near Bunclody, County Wexford, today

People in flood waters in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, today

Floodwater flows through a street after the River Slaney burst its banks in Enniscorthy

The River Slaney bursts its banks in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, today

Floodwater flows through a street after the River Slaney burst its banks in Enniscorthy

Residents stand in floodwater after the River Slaney burst its banks during Storm Chandra

The River Slaney bursts its banks in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, today

Floodwater flows through a street after the River Slaney burst its banks in Enniscorthy

People in flood waters in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, today

There is a further yellow warning for rain and snow across much of central Scotland from 6am to midnight today.

A yellow warning for rain is in place from midnight until midday today for much of South East England, and for South West England and South and Central Wales from 1pm on Monday to 10am today.

Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: ‘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 80mph 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 in the Pennines, southern Scotland and the Highlands.

‘With a complex spell of weather, its important people stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings in your area.’

The Met Office has also issued yellow warnings of ice tomorrow for large parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland, central Scotland, the Midlands, the east of England, London and the South East, the north of England and parts of Wales.

‘Patchy ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces by Wednesday morning and may lead to some disruption,’ a spokesman said.

‘Clearing skies Tuesday night will allow temperatures to fall below freezing soon after midnight and on Wednesday morning. After the recent wet weather, icy patches are likely to develop on some untreated surfaces.’

RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Nick Mullender said: ‘Flooding is highly likely, making many roads dangerous. Our message to drivers is simple: do not drive through standing water unless you are completely certain the water is shallow enough and it’s safe to do so.

‘In these conditions, drivers need to slow down and stay alert. Wet roads can double stopping distances, so taking a cautious, steady approach and allowing extra time to react is essential.

‘And if your vehicle already has known faults, now is not the time to take risks. Avoid unnecessary journeys and get issues fixed promptly by a trusted mobile mechanic or local garage.’

Storm Chandra is the next storm to be named by the western Europe storm naming group list shared between the UK, Ireland and Netherlands.