Britain is set to endure five stormy spells in the run-up to Halloween, with five inches of rain and 60mph autumn gales expected over the next two weeks. The conditions follow last week's 21C Indian Summer sunshine, as a series of 400-mile-wide Atlantic systems bring wet and windy weather to most parts, with highs struggling to reach 13-15C.
Weekend gales and further stormy periods
The worst conditions are due on Friday and Sunday, with 60mph bone-chilling gusts in the west and 50mph in eastern areas. Met Office chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “High pressure will loosen its grip, allowing for lower pressure and Atlantic weather systems increasing the chance of wet and windy weather for all areas.”
Netweather forecaster Nick Finnis added: “Proper autumn is finally on its way for all parts, with deep low-pressure areas bringing spells of heavy rain and gales.” Three further stormy periods are due next week, potentially disrupting school half-term holidays and Halloween celebrations.
Storm naming and heating demand
The Met Office will name Storm Austen when an Atlantic weather system has potential for amber warnings for wind and showers. Millions of households are expected to turn on their heating for the first time, with nights falling to near-freezing in the North and single figures in the South.
The Met Office said unsettled weather is looking more likely through the rest of the month “with spells of wet and windy weather arriving from the Atlantic”, adding that “stormy weather may also develop at times”. This follows predictions of a mega El Niño in the Pacific, which is expected to bring wetter and warmer weather this autumn. World Meteorological Organization secretary-general Celeste Saulo said the climate phenomenon is “strengthening rapidly” and could be one of the strongest in the past 70 years.
Drought hits pumpkin crops
Meanwhile, farmers report that pumpkin patches have been significantly impacted by the summer drought, with many crops struggling to grow and being much smaller. The summer saw widespread drought and several heatwaves, which the Met Office declared the warmest in the UK since records began.
Liz Paterson and Andrew King, who run a pumpkin patch at Ruffins Farm in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, have been unable to offer any crop this year because the drought has “significantly” impacted the business. Ms Paterson said: “The pumpkins just didn't grow this year. We could have tried to irrigate, we have got water, but we also have 500 breeding ewes, so we needed to give the water to them.” In previous years they grew around 10,000 pumpkins, but this year only about 50 developed. “I think the weather was too hot as well, they just didn't pollinate, so it just never worked at all really,” she added.
