A YELLOW warning of rain has been issued for the North West as the remnants of Storm Jonas sweeps in from the Atlantic.

The Met Office warning is in place until 3pm tomorrow, during which it says rain will be heavy and persistent at times.

The rain is set to be accompanied by south or southwesterly gales and possibly severe gales at times.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss chaired an emergency COBRA committee on Monday night to discuss the Government's response to the weather warnings in an attempt to reassure "anxious" flood-hit communities.

Neil Davies, EA's national flood duty manager, said: "With heavy rain this week, people in the North and South West need to be prepared for the risk of flooding.

"EA teams have been helping communities recover from the severe floods over Christmas. We are now preparing for further flooding as rain is expected to fall on ground left saturated after the wettest month on record.

"There will be high tides on the coast of Cumbria and Lancashire which is expected to cause large waves and spray. We urge people to take care near coastal paths and promenades."

Lancashire, Greater Manchester — including Ringley and Radcliffe — Cumbria and Yorkshire were among the areas worst affected last month by Storm Desmond, which ruined thousands of homes and businesses and forced residents to leave flooded properties.

In the US, Storm Jonas blanketed much of the east coast of America in deep snow.