UK weather: Met Office warnings for almost the whole of Britain TODAY as ‘severe gales’ & 12 hours of non-stop rain hit
BRITAIN is facing 70mph winds and 12-hours of non-stop rain, with weather warnings across the country.
The Met Office as issued six severe alerts – with some in place from midday until midnight, and flooding on the cards for some amid two inches of rainfall.
In a post on X, the weather agency said: “Early low cloud and mist in the south and east soon clearing, with rain, already into the far west, quickly pushing eastwards.
“Gales or severe gales developing across many northern and western areas.”
Winds are expected to grow in strength as the day progresses – with many central, northern and western parts of the UK to see gusts of up to 50-60mph.
And perhaps as much as 70mph in exposed spots along Irish Sea coastlines, Scottish islands and “other areas of high ground further inland”, the Met Office adds.
The Environment Agency has issued 31 flood alerts and two warnings in England today, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency having issued six alerts and two warnings.
Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said: “After some sunshine on Saturday, it’s a return to wind and rain for most of us during the course of today.
“The rain is spreading in across Northern Ireland and western Scotland, that will just gradually spread its way eastwards.
“The far southeast hanging onto the brightest conditions for the longest, and actually here it will probably remain dry until after dark.”
Mr Snell said there will be “surface water” in most areas and warned there could be significant travel disruption.
He added there could be “severe gales” along the Irish Sea Coast.
By the end of the afternoon, skies are expected to brighten in Scotland and Ireland but a “scattering of showers” are due to move in.
Temperatures will reach highs of 12C in the southeast of England by 4pm, with the majority of the country also averaging double figures.
Mr Snell said: “But if you factor in the strength of this wind and also and the rain, I think it will feel a little bit colder than these temperatures suggest.”
Into the evening, there’s a risk of heavy rain in Wales and southwestern England before shifting and lingering the southeastern corner of the country.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Steve Willington, said on Thursday: “As we shift from a cold easterly weather regime to milder westerly conditions, the Atlantic air brings with it some potentially impactful weather.
“Successive weather fronts bring strong winds and bands of rainfall across the UK with a risk some areas, particularly in the west later in the weekend, could see some low or even medium impacts.
“Weather warnings have been issued to highlight the potential for travel disruption, dangerous conditions near coasts and the possibility of power cuts for some.”
5-day weather forecast
Today:
Wind and rain will quickly spread eastwards Sunday morning, reaching all but the far southeast of England by dark. Turning drier and brighter from the west later with blustery showers. Widely windy with gales or severe gales for some.
Tonight:
Cloud and rain lingering across the south and east of the country overnight. Clear spells elsewhere with blustery showers, these most frequent in the north and west. Winds slowly easing.
Monday:
Brighter on Monday with sunshine and showers, these locally heavy and possibly thundery. Lighter winds for most, apart from the far north and west of Scotland. Mild.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Sunny spells and showers for many on Tuesday, these locally heavy and possibly thundery. Another band of rain likely to move in from the west during Wednesday and into Thursday.