Met Office verdict on Storm Debi weather chaos that could hit UK next week

03 November 2023 , 11:25

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Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse in southern England (Image: AP)

Storm Ciarán battered parts of the UK this week, causing flooding, travel disruption, fallen trees, and huge waves.

There has been speculation that a new storm could be on the way once Ciarán clears after this weekend, but the Met Office denied rumours this new weather system will be named. Some forecasters noticed another establishing pattern "hot on the heels" of Storm Ciarán - and some have even tentatively named the new storm Debi.

However, the Met Office said they do not expect the upcoming bluster to be strong enough, and amount to anything comparable to what the country has seen over the last few weeks with Storm Babet and Storm Ciarán. In the UK, a storm will be named when it has the potential to cause disruption or damage which could result in an amber or red warning.

Storm Ciarán is expected to move away from the UK this weekend

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Oli Claydon, a press officer for the Met Office, said there is "no expectation" the storm will be named. He said: "Low pressure will influence the weather across the UK this weekend though the low pressure is nowhere near as deep as Storm Ciaran and there is no expectation that it will be named."

Mr Claydon added that the weather is "not forecast to be anywhere near as severe as the last couple of days", with strong winds and rain expected to ease through the day. He continued: "The strong winds will continue to ease through today. Areas of rain will slowly become less persistent across northern and northeastern areas too.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

"Elsewhere there will be some sunshine and a scattering of showers which could be heavy at times, predominantly in the West. Overnight patchy rain will continue in the far northeast with some showers in the west. Clear spells developing in places ahead of a band of rain spreading northeastwards from the southwest."

Staff clear up after the storm at Watch House Cafe on the beach in West Bay, Dorset (Getty Images)

Currently, a yellow weather warning for rain is in force across parts of northeastern Scotland until 5pm on Friday. The Met Office said rainfall amounts are likely to reach 20-30 mm quite widely, with 10-15mm falling in a couple of hours in a few places.

The weather service also issued another yellow warning for rain from 5am until the end of the day on Saturday, as heavy rain or showers could cause disruption to travel. It covers all of southern England, southeastern coastal counties and parts of London.

The warning reads: "A spell of heavy rain early in the day clears northwards but is followed by fairly frequent heavy and blustery showers. These are likely to be focused in some southern and southeastern coastal counties by afternoon, with thunderstorms catching a few locations. Around 15-25 mm of rain will fall in some places but with perhaps 30 - 40 mm by the end of the day in coastal southeast England. Additional hazards could include large waves and spray along some southern coasts."

UK 5 day weather forecas

Today:

Strong winds will gradually ease through today. Areas of rain will slowly become less persistent across northern and northeastern areas. Elsewhere there will be some sunshine and a scattering of showers, heavy at times.

Tonight:

Patchy rain continuing in the far northeast with some showers in the west. Clear spells developing in places ahead of a band of rain spreading northeastwards from the southwest.

Saturday:

The north will have sunshine and showers on Saturday, whilst further wet and windy weather affects England and Wales. Rain becoming showery into the afternoon with sunny spells developing.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Mostly fine in the east to end the weekend and into next week although sunny spells and blustery showers further west. Becoming more widely showery into Tuesday.

Liam Doyle