EAST Lancashire is braced for more severe weather as the region feels the effects of Storm Barney.

A Yellow Alert has been issued by the Met Office for snow and wind for the area and the temperature is set to plummet to lows of -2C on Sunday.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Heavy rain will continue throughout today before clearing up on Saturday and Sunday.

It comes after parts of the Ribble Valley and Pendle were affected by flooding this week including Whalley, Sawley and Ribchester while the main road in Foulridge became inpassable at times.

Police in Colne have advised residents to take care on the roads and drive responsibly ahead of the expected severe weather.

PC Nigel Keates said: “The council will not be able to place ‘Flood’ signs at every location.

“Most motorists drive responsibly. To the few that don’t please take care on the roads and think of others if you must thrust your vehicle through deep water at speed, don’t let others suffer at the consequences of your stupidity.”

Roy Chetham, the Lancashire Telegraph’s weather expert, said: “Storm Abigail saw two inches of rain fall in this area last week.

“So far with Storm Barney we have only had one inch of rain and that was mostly on Tuesday and overnight into Wednesday.

“We are now up to 7.5 inches of rain this month and the normal level is five inches.

“We are now well past that mark and we are only just past the half way mark in the month.

“No records are likely be broken in terms of rain fall however as the most was recorded in 2009 when we had 10 inches of rain.

“At the moment it is on the heavy side of things but it is not exceptional.”

However Mr Chetham added the temperature levels in East Lancashire can be described as ‘exceptional’.

November has been the mildest on record and Arctic winds are set to bring the mercury down to ‘normal’ levels over the weekend.

He said: “We can expect to have more mild autumns and winters now but November always has the high chance of being very cold.

“It has been extremely mild for this time of year but that will change over the weekend for sure.

“But even then the levels will not be exceptionally cold for November.”

Mr Chatham added that the weather is set to remain unsettled in East Lancashire for quite a while and that more storms could be on the way.