Residents in Bootle, Merseyside, have been warned of difficult travel conditions and biting cold as heavy rain and gusts of up to 40 mph affect the area on 5 February 2026. The Met Office has issued a weather update showing a brisk easterly wind that will make conditions feel much colder, with a ‘feels like’ temperature around 0°C during the day.
The combination of persistent rain and strong winds is threatening local roads and rail services. Surface water flooding is affecting or threatening drivers on the A565 (Derby Road). Merseyrail has warned of possible delays on the Northern Line that could affect Bootle Oriel Road and Bootle New Strand stations.
Peel Ports is monitoring conditions at Gladstone Dock; high gusts can, and often do, require temporary suspension of some crane operations for safety. Sefton Council — the local authority responsible for road drainage and emergency response — is monitoring drainage and emergency plans to manage potential flooding on residential streets and shopping areas.
Forecasters say the event is unusual for the area because the wind is coming from the east, bringing colder continental air than the more typical Atlantic systems. Authorities advise dressing for conditions that will feel around 0°C and allowing extra time for journeys across the town today.
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