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Extensive floods and torrential downpours have smashed the UK throughout autumn 2019 with Sheffield seeing the highest record-breaking rainfall at 18 inches (456mm), breaking its former

record of 16.7 inches (425.2mm) set in 2000.

The Environment Agency has issued a total of 87 flood alerts and warnings across England.

A flood warning means flooding is possible and the Environment Agency is warning residents and area to prepare for potential flooding.

A flood alert meanwhile is for areas where flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

In Scotland, there are two flood alerts in effect for Edinburgh and Lothians and Findhorn Nairn Moray and Speyside.

READ MORE: BBC Weather: Arctic front cripples UK with below freezing temperatures

The Environment Agency flood warnings are in effect for:

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Many of these warnings are due to past heavy rainfall which has saturated the ground and led to the increased potential for flooding.

The Environment Agency warning reads: “Exceptional rainfall over the last couple of months has resulted in increasing groundwater levels. Although groundwater levels are very slowly

receding”.

The Agency added: “The risk to low lying properties in this area remains, and we are monitoring the situation as the forecast for the coming days is for colder weather.”

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This year has been the wettest autumn on record for many areas of Britain including Watnall near Nottingham, Sheffield in South Yorkshire and Scampton and Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

The average autumn rainfall in Lincolnshire is around 6.4 inches (163mm), which means at 13.4 inches (341mm) in Coningsby and 11.9 inches (303.2mm) in Scampton, it has been double the

seasonal average.

Currently, the 2019 autumn season is ranked as the 24th wettest on record for England and Wales.

The record for the country was set in 2000 when 19.8 inches (502.7mm) fell on average across the UK.

The Met Office forecasts Friday will be mainly fine, dry and bright, but cold.

However, a few showers will impact northern Scotland, eastern and northeastern England.

It will also be cloudier for southwest England where the cloud is thick enough for patchy rain here and there.

On Saturday, windy weather with spells of rain, heavy at times, will hit southwest England.

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