The Met Office has issued a series of yellow weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain across the UK, with gusts of up to 70mph expected in some areas. The warnings come into effect from Monday evening and will last through Tuesday, posing risks of travel disruption, power outages, and flooding.
Strong winds of around 50mph are forecast for Wales and southwest England from 10pm on Monday until 4pm on Tuesday, with gusts reaching 70mph along exposed coasts and high ground in northwest Wales. The Met Office warned that transport networks could face delays, particularly for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges, while coastal roads and seafronts may be affected by spray and large waves.
Heavy rain is also expected, with up to 100mm of rainfall predicted across Wales and southwest England from 8pm Monday to 6pm Tuesday. The warning extends to parts of Hampshire and Oxfordshire, where flooding of homes and businesses is possible, and some communities could be cut off. Another rain warning is in place for northwest England from midnight Tuesday until 3pm, while a wind warning covers northwest Scotland from 3pm Tuesday to 10am Wednesday.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: 'Whilst there is some uncertainty as to the exact track and intensity of the area of low pressure as it passes close to western Scotland later on Tuesday, many parts of the UK are likely to see spells of rain which, given saturated ground, could lead to flooding and delays to road and rail travel.' He added that strong winds are expected, particularly in northern and western areas.
The Met Office forecast for the rest of December remains unsettled, with further periods of low pressure predicted. Meteorologists said it was too early to provide an accurate forecast for the Christmas period. Twelve flood warnings were already in place across England early on Monday morning.
