The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds across five UK regions, with gusts expected to reach up to 65mph. The warning will be in effect for 19 hours, starting from midday on Wednesday.
The affected regions include Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, and Highlands and Eilean Siar. The forecaster predicts persistent heavy rain and possible flooding, with rainfall totals of 30-60mm expected, and up to 80-120mm over high ground.
Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: “A spell of strong winds and heavy rain is expected to affect southwest England and parts of Wales during Tuesday. Inland winds gusts could reach 45 to 55mph, and possibly 60 to 65mph over the most exposed hills and coasts.”
He added that heavy rain could bring disruption to vulnerable places such as Cornwall, which is still recovering from Storm Goretti. From Wednesday, brisk winds and bands of rain will head north, with a risk of flooding, power cuts, and road closures.
Deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley warned that recent rain and snow thaw could lead to flooding in some areas, with strong onshore winds and large waves posing additional hazards. Rain will turn to snow on high ground through Thursday and Friday, complicating river response downstream.
The Met Office said temperatures will remain close to average, but colder conditions are expected next week as weather systems compete from the West and East.
