Britain is set to be battered by 70mph winds and ‘heavy pulses’ of rain from today, the Met Office has warned.
Yellow weather alerts have been in force across the UK today with a map showing which areas will be the worst impacted.
Large waves and spray will affect coastal communities throughout Friday, the forecaster says, with a chance of power cuts.
Up to 7cm of rain is possible in areas of southwest and central Scotland, prompting travel disruption and potential flooding throughout the day.
Travel chaos has already begun with strong winds forcing the M48 Severn Crossing between England and Wales to shut today.
Restrictions on the M4 Briton Ferry and Britannia bridges have also been implemented to keep motorists safe as the stormy weather barrels in.
National Highways has said: ‘We kindly ask that road users do not move any cones to breach the closures as it is extremely unsafe to do so. Wind speeds continue to be monitored.
‘Traffic is being diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge. This bridge is fully open to all traffic.’
Travel chaos has begun with high winds forcing a major road to close as the Met office warns of 70mph gusts and ‘heavy pulses’ of rain. The M48 Severn Crossing between England and Wales has been shut and drivers will need to use alternative routes instead. Pictured: The Severn Crossing
There are also restrictions on the M4 Briton Ferry and Britannia bridges. Pictured: The Briton Ferry Bridge
Yellow weather warnings have been in force from this morning with a map showing the affected areas
The wind alert is in place from 8am to 3pm and says: ‘Southerly winds will increase on Friday morning, with gusts of 50-60 mph likely for exposed coasts and hills of western Britain.
‘Some parts of the warning area may see gusts of 70mph for a time. Winds ease from the west during the afternoon.’
After a calmer Saturday, Sunday will see weather warnings return, this time covering the majority of the UK barring parts of the Midlands, and southern and eastern England.
The Met Office has issued three wind alerts for Sunday.
In a post on X, the forecaster shared an interactive map showing the spread of rain.
It added: ‘Wet and windy to kick off Friday.
‘Heavy pulses of rain will be accompanied by gales around coasts and hills.’
There is some good news with warmer weather on the way and temperatures could peak at 16C, the Met Office said.
A warning for rain has been issued from 6am until 6pm for south-west and north-east Scotland on Friday, with forecasters predicting travel disruption, power cuts, and flooding.
Another alert for strong winds runs from 8am until 3pm for south-west Scotland and West Wales on Friday, while a yellow wind warning will be in place in the east of Northern Ireland from 6am to 1pm.
Despite forecasting a mild start to Friday, the Met Office warned of heavy pulses of rain accompanied by gales around coastal areas and hills.
In Scotland, ferry services from Dumfries and Galloway have been axed amid warnings of stormy weather.
The alert for winds is in place from 8am to 3pm and says: ‘Southerly winds will increase on Friday morning, with gusts of 50-60 mph likely for exposed coasts and hills of western Britain. ‘Some parts of the warning area may see gusts of 70mph for a time. Winds ease from the west during the afternoon’
A spokesperson said: ‘Those booked on to any of the affected sailings are advised not to travel to the area due to the impending weather warning and delays are expected.
Calmac Ferries on Scotland’s west coast said all of its routes were either cancelled or facing disruption on Friday.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet said its sailings between the island and Heysham on Friday had been cancelled or were at risk and it was monitoring conditions throughout the weekend.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: ‘On Friday, south and west Wales, south-west Scotland and eastern parts of Northern Ireland will see the strongest winds, possibly around 70mph on exposed coasts and around 60mph more widely within the warning areas.
‘Rain is an additional hazard, with 30-40mm likely in parts of Scotland over a six-hour period, and up to around 70mm possible over higher ground within the warning areas.’
Saturday is expected to be a drier day across the country, but the South East may see the remnants of Friday’s rain drifting through during the day.
Sunshine is set to bring a spring-like feel to all but eastern counties where cloud and rain is due to clear during the morning.
But enjoy it while it lasts – as Sunday is set to bring gales and up to 12 hours of heavy rain.
Temperatures amid Saturday’s sunshine could peak at 14C (57F) in south west England and 12-13C (54-55F) elsewhere this afternoon, slightly down on highs of 16C (61F) in eastern counties today.
Wet and windy conditions are set to sweep in during the early hours of Sunday with weather warnings issued by the Met Office.
Gales, with winds gusting at up to 70mph, are expected between 6am and 6pm across a huge swathe of the country except the midlands, central southern England, London and East Anglia.
Meanwhile, a weather system moving eastwards is set to bring a soaking to all areas.
Worst-affected areas are likely to be South West England and South Wales – which were previously deluged during storms in the late autumn.
Severe flooding could leave communities ‘cut off’ and there are warnings of dangerous waves in coastal areas.
The Met Office said winds ‘are expected to increase through Sunday morning, peaking late morning to early afternoon with gusts of 50-60mph, and perhaps as much as 70mph’.
The worst gales are expected in exposed spits along ‘Irish Sea coastlines, Scottish Islands, and other areas of high ground further inland’.
Forecasters add: ‘Rain will accompany strong winds, which will make for very poor weather conditions, especially on roads.
‘Winds will then ease from southwest to northeast of the warning area through the afternoon and early evening.’
Warnings for heavy rain cover Devon and Cornwall, and South Wales between 9am and 9pm, which could be deluged by ‘around 9-12 hours of rain.
Maximum totals of 50-70mm (2-2.8ins) are expected in South West England, and 60-90mm (2.2-3.6ins) in South Wales.
‘The rain will be heaviest over high ground, especially over south or southwest-facing upslopes,’ the Met Office added.
Forecasters warn of possible travel delays – and advise people to prepare for possible power cuts by ‘gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items’.
They add: ‘If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.’
The Met Office also warns that flooding could cause ‘a few smaller communities could become temporarily cut off’ and cause damage to homes and businesses.
Following tomorrow’s wet and windy weather, forecasters say it is due to be ‘drier on Monday and Tuesday with sunny spells and showers’, although some will be ‘locally heavy and slow to clear at times’.
It comes after last month Britain was pummeled by 80mph gales and torrential rain as people were told ‘do not travel’ as roads and railways were closed in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn.
The strong winds and rain battered the country as the last of Storm Eowyn swept through the UK after leaving one man, 20, dead after a tree fell and killed him while he was on the phone to his father.
