Met Office warns of ferocious gusts and heavy rain deluge in summer storm
Forecasters have warned of ferocious gusts and more heavy rain as the Met Office issues two severe weather warnings for huge swathes of the nation.
Experts predict that the washout summer weather will drag on until the weekend with two yellow warnings for rain and wind in force for Saturday affecting Northern Ireland as well as parts of Wales and south west England.
And on Friday there will be a mix of sunny spells but also bursts of heavy rain, particularly in eastern parts of the country. Warnings of flooding have also been sounded with the Environment Agency having issued 25 separate flood alerts across the nation.
The Met Office said in its weather warnings: "Unseasonably windy conditions, accompanied by showers or longer spells of rain, will affect parts of England and Wales during Saturday. The highest winds are likely to affect Irish Sea coastal areas from early morning, pushing gradually south and east, and spreading inland, so that by the afternoon English Channel coasts will also see some very windy conditions.
"Widely, inland gusts of 35-40mph are possible, with a risk of 45-50 mph especially across parts of south Wales and southwest England. Gusts are expected to reach 50-55 mph in coastal areas, perhaps up to 60-65 mph in the most exposed coastal areas of Wales and southwest of England. Later in the afternoon and through the early evening, wind strengths will begin to slowly ease from the west."
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
The weather warning areas predicted for Saturday (Met Office)The yellow warning for wind comes into force from 6am on Saturday until 9pm. In Northern Ireland the warning for rain is in place from midnight on Saturday until midday.
The forecaster said: "Heavy and persistent rain, accompanied by some strong winds, will push east across Northern Ireland on Saturday morning. Widely, totals of 20-30mm are possible, however the heaviest and most persistent rain is more likely in the south and perhaps also east of the country, affecting parts of County Down and Belfast.
"Here, there is a small chance of 40-60mm, with perhaps as much as 20-30mm of this falling in just a couple of hours. This will be coupled with some strong winds, widely gusts of 30-35mph are likely, with the risk in some areas, especially exposed coasts in the east, of gusts up to 45-50mph, perhaps bringing some coastal impacts in places.
"The persistent rain will pull away east into the afternoon, however it will remain generally windy, with a mix of sunshine and blustery showers following."
UK weather forecast
Today:
A mixture of sunny or bright spells and showers today. The showers becoming mainly focused across eastern areas where they become heavy and possibly thundery. Western areas will turn drier, but cloud increases later in the afternoon.
Tonight:
Cloud, rain and strengthening winds moving gradually east across many parts, with the heaviest rain across Northern Ireland. Northern Scotland continuing with a mix of clear spells and showers.
Saturday:
Wet and windy for many, with the band of rain continuing to move eastwards with scattered heavy showers following. Windiest across southern England and south Wales with gales here.
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