The Met Office has advised millions of UK residents to prepare for strong winds reaching up to 75mph by gathering essential items like torches. A new low-pressure system moving in from the southwest is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and cooler temperatures, potentially causing disruptions across the country. Yellow weather warnings for rain and winds have been issued for Wales and parts of England this weekend.
The rain warning, covering Wales, northern, and western England, will be in effect from 9 am on Saturday until 3 am on Sunday. Forecasters anticipate 20-30mm of rain in most areas, with some places likely to experience between 60mm and 80mm. The wind warning, effective from 3 pm today until 4 am tomorrow, highlights the likelihood of strong winds particularly in western and southwestern regions before moving northeastwards.
Coastal areas may experience gusts of 65-75mph, with the strongest winds expected along the Bristol Channel, west Wales coast, and the North Sea coast of east and northeast England. The Met Office advises residents in the warned areas to secure loose items like bins, garden furniture, and trampolines and be prepared for power cuts by having torches, batteries, and essential items on hand.
In addition to the wind and rain warnings, a cooler air mass is expected to move in from the north as a low-pressure system heads towards Scandinavia on Sunday. Snow may even grace the highest mountain peaks by the weekend’s end. The coming days will see rain clearing southeastwards with strong winds and possible coastal gales, followed by blustery showers in the north. Temperatures will drop below average, with marked wind chill in the northeast.
Next week, most areas will see drier conditions with sunny spells, though repeated showers are possible in southeast England. Expect cooler temperatures, patchy overnight fog, and frost in some regions.