Severe flooding led to the shutdown of a major motorway last night, causing extensive traffic congestion due to heavy rainfall and strong winds impacting the region.
Specifically, the M62 had to be closed near Huddersfield due to the heavy downpour, resulting in a lane closure and significant traffic buildup in the westbound direction shortly after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for the area.
Aside from the general weather alerts for the country, a specialized warning was issued for the M62, highlighting the potential for strong winds and heavy rain to cause localized damage.
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The weekend commenced with exceptionally wet conditions for some
These are the weather extremes for Saturday 20 September pic.twitter.com/UU16hw8UYr
Current reports indicate that traffic congestion on the M62 is easing, as per the latest data from the AA, which no longer displays the motorway section in amber, indicating a clear flow of traffic.
In addition to the M62, several other roads have been affected by severe weather conditions, with reports of flooding across various regions in England, as confirmed by Traffic England.
Traffic issues have been reported on the M56, M6, M61, and A50 due to adverse weather conditions, with incidents categorized as “severe” nationwide.
Motorists using the motorway have been advised by the Met Office to exercise caution as weather conditions deteriorate, particularly on the road network.
Within its yellow warning for the Midlands and northern England, which covers the impacted section of the M62, the Met Office has urged individuals to verify conditions before traveling.
The agency emphasized: “Minimize the risk of delays by checking road conditions for drivers, or public transport schedules, and adjusting travel plans if necessary.”
According to Traffic England’s website, the situation has been classified as “severe,” with flooding affecting junctions J24 and J22.
Observations on the AA’s traffic monitoring platform show an increase in congestion on the affected motorway section, with flooding being reported as a significant incident.
Additionally, the Met Office has cautioned that the severe weather conditions expected this evening could particularly impact the M62.
Persistent heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, is forecast to move northeast across Wales and northern England
Areas such as the M62 corridor and the Pennine regions could experience flooding and travel disruptions this evening, with the possibility of wind-related damage in certain areas too pic.twitter.com/vcmrpK5KVK
The closure of the M62 tonight aligns with earlier warnings from the Met Office regarding intense rainfall affecting various parts of the country, particularly in the Midlands and northern England.
The advisory states: “A band of heavy rain across Wales, and northern and western England will move slowly during Saturday morning before shifting erratically eastwards, eventually clearing by early Sunday.”
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