UK weather: Strong winds and heavy rain forecast for many areas - as Met Office issues warnings

December 08, 2023

The UK is set for strong winds and heavy rain today, with gusts of up to 70mph possible in some areas.

Warnings have been issued for much of the country on Saturday - with potential for flooding and disruption on the roads and public transport.

Irish Sea coast areas could get 70mph winds, while gusts of up to 55mph are possible in the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland, the Met Office said.

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Heavy rain alerts are also in force this morning on the Dorset and Devon coast, and a broad stretch from Derbyshire up to Cumbria until 3am on Sunday.

Southwest Scotland and a large part of Northern Ireland also have a rain warning for most of Saturday.

The Met Office said up to 8cm (3.1 inches) of rain could fall in some areas.

However, it will be warmer than recent days. Temperatures this afternoon will range from about 13C (55F) in southern England, the Midlands and Wales, to 9-11C in the North East, and 8C in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Sunday is set to be calmer in most places, with just one warning for heavy rain remaining in force in northern England and the Midlands.

"We're in for a wet and windy weekend. There's a possibility of flooding because of the already saturated ground," said the Met Office's Stephen Dixon.

"By the afternoon most of the heavy wind and rain will have passed and it will just be showers for southern areas," he added.

"We will also be seeing some quite strong winds in Wales, the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland, particularly coastal communities around the Irish Sea."

It comes about a week after some areas - such as Cumbria and the North East - saw significant snowfall and freezing temperatures.

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