Met Office issues three-day weather warning - see if your region affected

16 October 2023 , 04:09

625     0

'Exceptionally' heavy rain is feared to arrive at the end of the week (Image: Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)

Millions of Brits face nightmare winds and rain this week, with high pressure over Scandinavia bringing “exceptional rainfall” to an area of the UK.

The nation faces a week of two halves, according to the Met Office, with a dry and fine start for many of us as we ease into the start of the working week. However, that will soon change with heavy winds and strong rain arriving in the latter days and into the weekend.

Scotland is set to receive the brunt of the poor conditions arriving from Scandinavia on Thursday with heavy rainfall feared until Saturday. The rain could be so heavy, a Yellow National Severe Weather Warning has been issued for central and eastern Scotland where some “exceptional rainfall” totals could accumulate over two or three days.

A yellow warning is in place later this week

Steven Keates, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Many parts of the UK will see a very unsettled spell of weather through the second half of the coming week, into next weekend. A number of areas have the potential to see a lot of rain as well as strong winds at times.

“Of particular concern at the moment is eastern and central Scotland where some exceptional rainfall totals could build up, falling on ground already saturated after recent heavy rainfall. This could lead to some significant and widespread disruption. With such an unsettled and potentially impactful spell of weather we recommend you stay up to date with the forecast for your area and keep an eye on warnings from the Met Office, SEPA and local authorities.”

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

According to the yellow warning, there is a chance of “extensive flooding” to homes or businesses. Some communities could also be cut off for several days and there is a “small chance” of fast flowing floodwaters. Power, as well as gas and water supplies could also be lost, along with mobile phone signals.

The nation suffered through a bitterly cold Saturday night with temperatures dropping to -4C in the north of the UK. It will be colder than normal for the time of year but by the middle of next week, it will have returned to normal and the mercury is expected to continue to climb before the arrival of the rain.

The Met Office forecast for October 17 to 26 states temperatures "will probably return closer to average" during the period, adding conditions could become "perhaps warm in places". The agency adds a "fine and dry interlude where high pressure dominates" could follow as chances increase that a "cloud and rain or showers" will spread from the southeast.

Regions and local authorities affected by the warning:

Central, Tayside & Fife

• Angus
• Dundee
• Perth and Kinross
• Stirling

Grampian

• Aberdeen
• Aberdeenshire
• Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

• Highland

• 
  

• UK weather forecast

• Today:

  After a chilly start it will be another rather cold day on Monday, with plenty of sunny spells once any morning mist or fog clears. Scattered showers in the far north and far southeast, mainly light. Breezy in the north.

  Tonight:

  Mostly dry overnight but turning chilly once again with a local frost possible. However, not as widespread as previous nights as cloud will increase from the southwest.

  Tuesday:

  Another mostly dry day with bright or sunny spells for many. Turning windier from the southwest later with some rain in southwest England and southwest Wales likely too.

Antony Clements-Thrower