The Met Office has issued a wave of weather warnings as a three-day onslaught of heavy rain and blustery winds hits the UK due to an area of low pressure moving in from the North Atlantic
Britain is bracing for three days of heavy rain and ‘dangerous’ gales after the Met Office issued a wave of new weather warnings.
Yellow warnings will be in place across southwest England and Wales today as a band of unsettled weather sweeps in to the British Isles, bringing the risk of “some flooding and travel disruption” overnight and into Tuesday evening, according to the national forecaster.
Tomorrow will also see an additional weather alerts in place – including one for rain in the north of England, spanning an area including Lancashire, Northumbria and parts of County Durham, as well as parts of North Yorkshire.
The other warning, for rain, will come into effect across the western isles and some coastal areas of Scotland, lasting late into Wednesday morning.
This week’s unsettled weather is being caused by an area of low pressure approaching from the North Atlantic, forecasters said, which is funnelling strong winds towards Britain. Commuters have been warned of some impact on roads on the railways, especially from fallen trees and branches.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley said: “Whilst there is some uncertainty as to the exact track and intensity of the area of low pressure as it passes close to western Scotland later on Tuesday, many parts of the UK are likely to see spells of rain which, given saturated ground, could lead to flooding and delays to road and rail travel.
“In addition, strong winds are expected, particularly in northern and western areas. We are closely monitoring developments and may issue updates to the warnings as the situation evolves.”
The current unsettled spell sets the tone for what the Met Office expects to be a wet and windy December, though the national forecasters says it is too soon to issue any predictions for Christmas Day.
Unseasonably mild conditions are likely on Monday amid the inclement weather, with highs in the mid-teens in some southern areas – closer to what would usually be expected in October. Daytime maximum temperatures will reach 14C in London, 13C in Cardiff, 12C in Manchester, and 10C in Edinburgh and Belfast.
UK weather forecast
Monday:
Showers continuing across northwestern England and western Scotland. Sunny spells for much of England and Wales in afternoon with blustery showers confined to the north. Turning wet and windy later.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Heavy rain and and strong winds expected for Tuesday and into Wednesday, with western Scotland seeing gale force winds. A brief settled period on Thursday. Mild throughout.
