Heavy rain and gale-force winds set to batter UK until next week
Forecasters say stormy weather with heavy showers and gusty winds will hit the UK on Thursday afternoon and into the weekend.
Winds of up to 70mph could disrupt travel plans in the North West as the storm hits the Irish Sea.
A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued across Northern Ireland between 13:00 and 23:00 on Thursday.
The UK has just recovered from Storm Benjamin, which hit much of Europe last week with hurricane-force winds and torrential rains.
Heavy rain pelted the south-east of England on Wednesday and Met Office forecasters say the weather will become even more unsettled by the end of the week as the jet stream picks up low pressure and directs it over the country.
Forecasters said fog and mist could be possible in some places early on Thursday ahead of the arrival of stormy weather with heavy rain, particularly in Northern Ireland. Storms may occur, especially in the late afternoon.
Meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said Northern Ireland would have hazardous conditions and wind speeds could reach 60mph or 70mph in the North West of the UK.
He said heavier showers would fall on Friday and at the beginning of the weekend.
“These showers could be particularly heavy; there could also be some hail on Friday and there could still be some pretty gusty and gusty winds around.”
Areas outside the North West may experience wind gusts of up to 50 mph at times, causing outdoor conditions to be colder than the UK maximum temperature of 15C.
Mr Vautrey said there was no clear sign of when the storms and showers would end, but the showers were expected to become more isolated by Sunday.
“Even at the beginning of next week we expect areas of low pressure to move towards the UK. So at the moment next week looks quite volatile.”
