Leeds extreme weather warning: Hour-by-hour Met Office forecast as Storm Christoph brings heavy rain

Heavy downpours are set to batter the city on Wednesday, the Met Office warns, with flooding possible.

Storm Christoph has hit the UK and parts of the country will see two months’ worth of average rainfall in just two-and-a-half days.

The amber weather warning, the most severe for rain, is in place in Leeds until Thursday at midday.

River levels have risen due to heavy showers overnight and are expected to rise later today.

An urgent flood warning has been issued for one Leeds village and residents have been told to take their family, pets and belongings to safety.

Three further flood alerts in place across Leeds, where residents at risk are advised to activate their flood defences and 'be prepared'.

The alerts have been issued for the River Middle Aire catchment, which runs through Leeds, and the Lower River Wharfe at Oltey and Pool-in-Wharfedale.

Flooding is also possible at Wyke Beck, Meanwood Beck and Wortley Beck.

Here is the hour-by-hour Met Office forecast for Leeds on Wednesday:

10am - light rain - 11C

11am - heavy rain - 10C

12pm - heavy rain - 11C

1pm - heavy rain - 11C

2pm - light rain - 11C

3pm - light rain - 11C

4pm - light rain - 10C

5pm - light rain - 10C

6pm - heavy rain - 10C

7pm - heavy rain - 9C

8pm - heavy rain - 8C

9pm - heavy rain - 7C

10pm - heavy rain - 6C

11pm - heavy rain - 5C

What to expect in Leeds, according to the Met Office

- Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings

- Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life

- Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely

- Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures

- A good chance some communities cut off by flooded roads

- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely

How to drive safely in rain and floods

The first thing to do if you’re caught in heavy rain is to slow down and leave more space to the vehicle in front. Stopping distances as much as double in the wet due to a reduction in grip so you need to give yourself more time and space.

Put on your headlights. Heavy rain and spray reduces visibility for all road users. It’s important to put your headlights on not only to aid your vision but also to make your car more visible to other drivers. The Highway Code says you must use your headlights when visibility is less than 100 metres. Be careful about using fog lights, rear fogs can out-shine brake lights due to the glare and reflection from spray.

Be wary of puddles and standing water. What might look like a minor puddle at the side of the road could be hiding a deep pothole or dislodged drain cover that could cause serious damage to your car. Driving through even fairly shallow puddles could also cause aquaplaning, where your tyres’ tread is overwhelmed by the volume of water and they completely lose contact with the road. You’ll feel this as a lightening of the steering.

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