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Three men emerged unharmed subsequent to a subterranean mission extending over 30 hours throughout "terrible weather" amid the severe weather system.

The skilled explorers became trapped inside the difficult Dowber Gill Passage, near North Yorkshire.

Concerns were reported around 10 PM on Thursday when they failed to return and a family member notified the police.

Emergency response teams stated in excess of 100 responders took part in the "long and difficult" operation, that encountered difficulties because of worsening weather, water ingress, difficult landscape and extended periods below surface.

When rescuers located the cavers in the early hours that Friday, swelling water conditions meant the most direct path was impassable, compelling everyone involved to backtrack.

Rescue team leader described that had they found the explorers a bit earlier, everyone might have made it back for morning meal.

"Sadly the weather had other ideas ahead," he said.

"The main threat is flooding and, potentially in certain parts underground, submersion.

"Should flooding have worsened in those places, the situation would have become exceptionally risky."

Neighbouring caving teams provided support, including several professional emergency groups.

Subterranean crews worked in relays to guide the fatigued spelunkers back, meanwhile above-ground teams faced "terrible conditions to ensure coordination plus handle supplies.

At one point, volunteers built a dam with waterproof material to channel swelling floodwaters past the opening.

First trapped individual emerged safely in the afternoon on Friday, the second around 2:30 AM Saturday morning with the final member subsequently.

Each explorer were injured however the rescue leader confirmed they were exhausted following cold and wet over two days.

"It takes a strong man to survive such conditions," he said.

Rescue personnel wrapped up the mission in the morning.

Even though the storm was predicted to impact later that week, coordinators explained the caving trip undertaken by the cavers was "perfectly reasonable" given their experience and the weather conditions that day.

However, significant precipitation came sooner plus with greater force than predicted.

The cavers disclosed important specifics of their route – starting at one location toward their endpoint – prior to departure, while officials confirmed that information "saved the day".

"Without that notification by the family member, it would have taken longer to notice the cavers hadn't returned until somebody saw vehicles left near the entrance for a couple of days," he added.