It’s a case of rain, rain and even more rain.

But the experts from Yorkshire Water are not predicting what our weather will be like this week; they are looking much further ahead and warning of the need for more work on flood prevention.

The company has published a climate change report that highlights how extreme rainfall and storm surges are likely to increase across the region.

In recent weeks there has been flooding in many areas, including Mirfield and Birkby.

But the news coincided with another exceptionally warm day in Huddersfield - and a day which burst into life with stunning a sunrise. The skies were turned into shades of pink and gold as ice crystals in high clouds reflected the light.

Read more: Record-breaker! Huddersfield basks in warmest December day ever recorded

Read more: Mirfield floods - Christmas Day lunch cancelled at the Ship Inn after floodwater devastates restaurant

The YW report, ‘Adapting to a changing climate’, emphasises how Yorkshire and Humberside has historically suffered from significant flooding, notably in June 2007 which was the wettest month in the region since 1882.

Data from the Met Office shows that the amount of heavy rainfall events have increased significantly over the last 50 years due to the warmer atmosphere being able to hold more moisture. As a result, heavy rainfall events are likely to happen five times more often in the future, as global warming continues to change our climate.

Flooding at woodside place off Norman road, Birkby, Saturday Evening

Amanda Crossfield, Lead Climate Change Advisor at Yorkshire Water, said: “The report highlights current and future flood risks in the region and what we are doing as a company to reduce these risks. For instance, we are installing flood defences where appropriate but also enhancing our emergency response capacity, and increasing the flexibility of our water distribution grid so we can re-route supplies when required. This means we are taking the most cost-effective approach to managing the flood risk to our assets and to the services we provide customers.”

Read more: Floods in Huddersfield - Firefighters battle floodwater as torrential rain causes misery on Saturday night

Since the 2007 floods, the company has invested more than £50m in re-building several flood damaged waste water treatment works and pumping stations, as well as raising critical equipment above the flood depths. Key drinking water pumping stations have also been upgraded with flood walls so they can continue to pump drinking water during flood events.

Other significant projects Yorkshire Water is undertaking to reduce flood risks include plans to upgrade Butterley Spillway in Marsden. This will ensure excess water can bypass the reservoir without harm and also reduce the risk of flooding in the village.

Butterley Reservoir Spillway, Marsden.
Butterley Reservoir Spillway, Marsden.