Further spells of wet and windy weather on the way

Although a scattering of showers may develop in the west this afternoon, many will enjoy a pleasant day on Thursday with light winds and sunshine.  

Clear skies for tonight’s Hunter’s Moon  

October’s full moon is called the Hunter’s Moon and is the closest supermoon of the year. 

Commenting on visibility for tonight, Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “Pretty much the whole of the UK has a good chance of clear skies this evening. Western Scotland will be a bit cloudier, perhaps preventing prolonged views of the moon here, but otherwise cloud amounts will be patchy and should not limit views of the supermoon or comet for prolonged periods of time.  

“Isolated fog patches will form by midnight, with more extensive low cloud and fog forming during the early hours. This will mean a less favourable (but still moderate to high), chance of seeing the moon later in the night.” 

Turning windy and wet from Friday 

Although it’s a dry start for many on Friday, a low-pressure system is expected to bring strong winds to the north and west. This combined with high spring tides may result in some coastal impacts, potentially continuing into the weekend on some coasts.  

A Yellow National Severe Weather Warning for wind has been issued for Friday.  

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “A period of strong south to southeasterly winds is likely across western Scotland on Friday morning into the early afternoon, before easing and turning southwesterly through the afternoon.  

“Wind gusts of 45-55mph are possible fairly widely for a time, and perhaps in excess of 60mph in more exposed locations. Given the wind direction and high spring tides, some disruption is possible.” 

Things will be dry and brighter further south and east, with temperatures near normal or just above average.  

Potentially very windy and stormy on Sunday 

As we head into the weekend, the weather will remain unsettled, with further rain at times on Saturday, but clearing to bring a dry and fine end to the day for most. 

By Sunday, there is a chance that a particularly deep area of low pressure will arrive from the Atlantic, bringing more widespread strong winds, especially in northern and western areas, with potential for some disruption in places. 

A Yellow National Severe Weather Warning for wind is currently in place from 3am on Sunday until midday on Monday. 

Tony Wisson is a Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office and said: “This low-pressure system is not expected to develop until Friday near the coast of Canada, so at this stage there is still a lot of uncertainty about the strength and track of this system as it interacts with the jet stream over the weekend. It’s likely that parts of Ireland will see impacts from this before the UK though. 

“At present, a windy period is expected across the whole of the UK on Sunday and into Monday, but across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northwest England and North West Wales, there is an increased chance of some disruption. 

“Initially a period of strong south to southeasterly winds will likely develop through Sunday morning, with gusts of 50-60mph possible in some inland areas, especially Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and perhaps up to 60-70mph along exposed coasts and hills.  

“Winds will then likely turn southwesterly, with a period of especially strong winds possible during Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland, where gusts could potentially reach 70-80mph in exposed areas, and more generally 55-65mph in other parts of the warning area. These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides, may cause some disruption. 

“It’s likely that Sunday’s wind warning will be updated and refined as confidence increases, and more warnings for the rainfall that is expected is likely. It is therefore important people stay up to date with the latest forecast.”  

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “This latest bout of stormy autumnal weather is likely to make driving conditions hazardous this weekend, especially for drivers in the north and west of the UK.  

“Strong winds will demand motorists keep a good grip of the steering wheel and allow plenty of space between themselves and the vehicle in front, so they are able to react quickly to whatever they see up ahead. We also strongly advise avoiding exposed routes, especially those close to coasts that are likely to see the biggest effects from the gusts and where particularly high spring tides could lead to some roads becoming flooded.”

Read advice about driving in severe weather conditions 

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