30 December 2023 , 05:30
1060
0
Brits are set to be hit by huge 75mph gusts and rain this morning, with several yellow warnings in place around the UK.
The recent patch of unsettled weather is due to continue this weekend thanks to an area of low pressure pushing in from the west of the country. It will impact millions of Brits throughout the day, with some warned by the Met Office to expect snow, while others have been told to expect rain and wind as the day goes on. It comes as Brits planning New Year's Eve celebrations were earlier urged to travel earlier than usual to avoid weather chaos. Conditions across many parts of the UK could feel close to freezing as the clock strikes midnight on Sunday.
The warnings for this low-pressure system include: a wind warning covering most of Wales and a large part of southern England; rain warnings for Northern Ireland and Wales; and a series of combined rain and snow warnings covering most of Scotland.
Met Office chief forecaster Andy Page said: “Parts of the higher ground of Scotland may see temporary snow accumulations of 5-10cm, while up to 25mm of rain is expected in Wales, Northern Ireland and lower levels in Scotland. Across Wales and southern England wind gusts of 45-50mph are likely to be quite widespread, while gusts of 65-75mph are possible in the most exposed coastal areas.”
The low pressure system will initially affect Ireland and western parts of the UK this morning. As the system moves eastwards, the boundary between the area of low pressure and the relatively colder conditions further north and east will lead to a band of snow across some of the high ground of northern England and Scotland.
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
Rain warnings are in place (Yorkshire Post / SWNS)An Environment Agency spokesman said: “The Environment Agency is monitoring closely and has teams out on the ground undertaking preparatory activity to minimise the impacts of flooding where possible. At this time of year, with people out walking over the festive and New Year period, it’s particularly important to take care near riverbanks.
"If you are planning on travelling, please check the weather conditions ahead of your journey, and we urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.”
Regions and local authorities affected by rain and snow:
Central, Tayside & Fife
Angus
Clackmannanshire
Dundee
Fife
Perth and Kinross
Stirling
Grampian
Tips to stop windscreen freezing and prevent blades from sticking to window
Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire
Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
Eilean Siar
Highland
Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute
East Dunbartonshire
Inverclyde
North Ayrshire
Renfrewshire
West Dunbartonshire
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
Dumfries and Galloway
East Lothian
Midlothian Council
Scottish Borders
Strathclyde
East Ayrshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
Regions and local authorities affected by ice
Highlands & Eilean Siar
Eilean Siar
Highland
Regions and local authorities affected by rain
Northern Ireland
County Antrim
County Armagh
County Down
County Fermanagh
County Londonderry
County Tyrone
Wales
Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend
Caerphilly
Cardiff
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Conwy
Gwynedd
Isle of Anglesey
Merthyr Tydfil
Monmouthshire
Neath Port Talbot
Newport
Pembrokeshire
Powys
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Swansea
Torfaen
Vale of Glamorgan
Regions and local authorities affected by wind
East of England
Essex
Norfolk
Southend-on-Sea
Suffolk
Thurrock
London & South East England
Brighton and Hove
East Sussex
Greater London
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Medway
Portsmouth
Southampton
Surrey
West Sussex
South West England
Bath and North East Somerset
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
Bristol
Cornwall
Devon
Dorset
Gloucestershire
Isles of Scilly
North Somerset
Plymouth
Somerset
South Gloucestershire
Torbay
Wiltshire
Wales
Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend
Caerphilly
Cardiff
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Conwy
Gwynedd
Isle of Anglesey
Merthyr Tydfil
Monmouthshire
Neath Port Talbot
Newport
Pembrokeshire
Powys
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Swansea
Torfaen
Vale of Glamorgan