Severe Weather Warning Issued

A Status Yellow severe weather warning for wind has been issued by the Met Office as Storm Ciara makes its way to the UK.

The weather system is currently developing in the North Atlantic and is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain through the end of the weekend and into the start of next week.

Wind gusts will widely reach 50-60mph across many inland areas. The strongest gusts in exposed locations could reach 80mph.

A yellow National Severe Weather warning for wind has been issued which currently covers the entire UK and is in force from 6pm on Saturday evening and all day Sunday until midnight. Storm Ciara can be expected to bring a range of disruption which may affect some power supplies and transport services.

Chief forecaster with the Met Office, Neil Armstrong said: "An extremely strong jet stream flowing from North America will be steering a succession of low-pressure systems towards the UK at least into the middle of next week. The relative predictability of this pattern has provided an early warning and has given us the certainty to be able to name this storm four days ahead."

Before Storm Ciara arrives, Wednesday and Thursday this week will see high pressure dominating, bringing largely fine conditions with the potential for frost and fog in some locations. Fog may be slow to clear on Thursday morning.

By Friday evening conditions will start to become more unsettled with spells of rain and a developing breeze. Saturday will be a relatively dry day before further strengthening winds and rain arrive from the west in the evening ahead of Storm Ciara.

Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong continued: "The Met Office will continue to monitor the development of Storm Ciara and other potentially impactful low-pressure systems through next week. Warnings will be issued and amended as appropriate so members of the public should keep up to date with the Met Office forecast via our website, app or by following us on social media."

(MH/CM)