UK weather forecast: Met Office issues warnings for strong winds and rain as stormy conditions sweep UK

Several bands of stormy weather expected to sweep through UK in coming days

Tim Wyatt
Saturday 11 January 2020 18:25 EST
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UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

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The Met Office is warning people to be braced for stormy weather as strong rain and winds, and maybe even snow, head towards Britain.

Weather warnings for rain and wind across much of the UK have been issued and gusts of up to 80mph could be felt in some parts.

Even after the current band of rain has moved through the UK a second weather system is already forming in the Atlantic and will sweep across on Tuesday next week.

“There are rain warnings out for parts of western and southwestern Scotland and also strong wind warnings for north-east England and parts of north Wales as well,” said Simon Partridge, a meteorologist at the Met Office.

“We could see gusts of wind up to 70 or 80mph at times.”

On Sunday the rain will calm slightly to showers, but on higher ground in Scotland and northern regions it could come down as sleet or snow instead.

“As a result we could see temperatures just about falling near or below freezing,” Mr Partridge said.

The yellow weather warning for “persistent and heavy rain” means there could be localised flooding and even a chance of damage to homes and businesses in the worst-hit places.

“Spray and flooding will lead to difficult driving conditions and may cause some road closures [and] there is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater,” the Met Office said.

The strong winds forecast could also wreak havoc, with some travel disruption possible and delays on the roads and rail network likely.

Mr Partridge added: “On Monday all eyes turn to this next rain band out to the west, that will move its way eastwards through Monday and as a result wind warnings are already in force from midday, and we could see gusts up to 80mph at times.

"It’s a pretty unsettled week.”

The Met Office has also issued a wind warning for a huge swathe of western Britain, including most of Wales, the West Country, northwestern England and western Scotland.

“A widely very windy period expected Monday afternoon and evening with some disruption to travel likely,” its warning cautions.

Those living in coastal towns or near the sea must take especial care, as the stormy winds could cause larger than usual waves and spray.

The situation remained changeable, so Mr Partridge advised those living in the affected areas to regularly check for new updates and warnings.

“[There are] strong winds associated with this and an awful lot of rain – keep your eyes open for further warnings as we go through the next day or so," he said.

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