The Met Office warned Londoners of potential hazards as Storm Barbara unleashed heavy rains and strong winds in the capital today (Wednesday, October 21).

Yellow weather warnings for most of South East England including London were issued by the national weather service, who said groundwater and flooding were both possible amid an incessant downpour on Wednesday.

Satellite images published by the Met Office showed bright yellow and orange patches over London on Wednesday, indicating heavy rainfall that the Met Office said was likely to bring transport disruption to the capital.

Official advice on the Met Office website regarding the storm reads:

"Heavy rain is likely to lead to some disruption to travel.

"What to expect:

  • Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
  • Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
  • Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible.

"Heavy rain will move north during the early hours of the morning and persist through the peak morning travel period, before clearing northeastwards.

"10-15 mm of rain will fall widely, with as much as 30 to 50 mm in a few locations. With much of this falling in a short period, around 3 to 6 hours, some surface-water flooding is likely in places, leading to disruption to travel.

"The rain may be accompanied by gales across parts of southeast England, perhaps most likely towards the Kent and Sussex coasts."