The UK faces a major pre-Christmas weather disruption as forecasters warn a powerful 'weather bomb' is set to strike the British Isles. The severe conditions, driven by a so-called 'bomb cyclone' hurtling across the Atlantic, are expected to bring high winds, heavy rain, and dense fog, with multiple weather warnings already in force.
What is Causing the Christmas 'Weather Bomb'?
According to experts at Severe Weather Europe, the dramatic shift of the Polar Vortex over North America this week has triggered the development of a rapid 'bomb cyclone'. This intense low-pressure system has generated hurricane-force winds over the ocean as it tracks towards the UK. While its winds are predicted to slow slightly by the time it reaches waters south of Iceland, the knock-on effects will bring a prolonged period of unsettled and extreme weather to Britain's shores.
Active Weather Warnings and Expected Impacts
The Met Office has issued immediate alerts for significant parts of the country. A fog warning is active until 10am today for a large 'U-shaped' zone encompassing Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford, Cambridge, Lincoln, York, and parts of North London, posing a major hazard for the morning rush hour.
Separately, a rain warning for Southwest England and South Wales remains in place until 11.59pm tonight. Residents in these areas have been advised to prepare for likely flooding and travel disruption.
Further warnings come into effect tomorrow. One covers South Wales and southwest England again, while another applies to the south coast from Weymouth to Folkestone, indicating the widespread nature of the incoming wet and windy weather.
Forecast for the Festive Run-Up
Neil Armstrong, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, stated: "We’re set to see an unsettled week as low-pressure systems push fronts across the UK. With recent heavy rain, further wet conditions will increase the risk of flooding." He urged the public to stay updated with official forecasts and warnings, and to never drive through flood water.
The unsettled pattern is forecast to persist through the run-up to Christmas, with low pressure anchored to the southwest of the UK. The Met Office's long-range forecast suggests this will eventually be replaced by colder, more settled high pressure, but not before a challenging period of severe weather.
Expected maximum temperatures on Wednesday are relatively mild, with 11C in London and Belfast, 10C in Manchester and Edinburgh, and 12C in Cardiff.
Detailed UK Weather Outlook
Wednesday: Cloud will spread eastwards with outbreaks of heavy rain becoming widespread across most areas, except the far southeast which will stay dry until after sunset. Conditions will be mild and increasingly breezy.
Thursday to Saturday: Thursday looks set to be another unsettled day with further spells of heavy rain. Friday will be brighter but still breezy, with sunshine and scattered showers. Rain is expected to return on Saturday for many regions.
