Scotland

[notice] If you’re driving tonight, prepare for deteriorating weather conditions as winds are expected to reach ‘gale-force’ widely with ‘severe-gales’ along the coast, Flooding rainfall is a significant concern also [/notice]

The weather has been largely fine and dry throughout much of Scotland today following a rough first half of the week, unfortunately today is a brief interlude as a system which is expected to arrive tonight has been closely monitored here since last week. As expected, it seems to have the potential of being the worst of the three systems impacting this week. The calm, chilly evening will lead many into a false sense of security, by the time you waken on Thursday morning, expect southerly gales to be blowing along with heavy, persistent and at times torrential rains.

With already saturated ground after the floods of Monday, this situation is of real concern as I believe more rivers (new rivers) could well burst their banks, causing serious flooding. Roadways are also likely to be severely affected. As much as 1-2″ of rain is expected widely across western Scotland with locally 2-4″ possible over the next 24 hours. Be ready for disruption caused by flooding.

As for the winds, gales are expected widely across Scotland with gusts of 40, 50, possibly 60 mph even for inland areas. Exposed coasts may see winds surpass 70 mph with the upper ridges of the Cairngorms and Grampians likely to see gusts reach 100 mph.

If you don’t need to venture out tomorrow, don’t. The combination of wind and heavy rain will not only make for treacherous conditions but trees could easily fall, aided by saturated ground which will have weakened the root systems.

Travelling by ferry? I’ll be surprised if anything up the West Coast runs tomorrow. A howling southerly Force-10 will easily generate wave heights of 30+feet.

Conditions will gradually ease as we progress later through the afternoon but expect disruption to last through the day with road closures possible into Friday! Be prepared and stay safe!

Temps after an early dip will rise through the night, we may have unusually mild 14-16C temps by 9am Thurs!

England

[notice] If your driving tonight, prepare for deteriorating weather conditions as winds are expected to reach ‘gale-force’ widely with ‘severe-gales’ along the coast, Flooding rainfall is a significant concern also [/notice]

If you think today’s flooding situation has been bad, wait till tomorrow! The saturated ground across many parts of England, particularly the Southwest, will become a lot more saturated as well as windswept over the next 24 hours. A very lively front with a lot of energy with it, will push into the west early Thursday morning packing gales with gusts beyond 50 mph, possibly 70 mph along the Lancashire, Cumbria coast as well as over the exposed higher stretches such as the Fells and Pennines. Along with the strong to potentially destructive winds will be heavy and at times, torrential rains. These rains will to slow moving so the intensity and persistency will cause problems. worsening already flooded areas. Where not flooded, you may very well find yourself flooded tomorrow morning or afternoon.

I expect a decent inch of rain for many in western and central England with some places receiving 2-4 inches.

Be sure to keep an eye on the water level of any nearby river or body of water!

Conditions gradually improve in western and central parts through the afternoon while the worst of the wind and rain will cross the Pennines, impacting eastern England, down through East Anglia, London and the Southeast. Here too, winds may blow at gale-force, even in London with heavy and at times torrential rains.

If your travelling tomorrow, leave extra time, check ahead and stay safe!

Temps after an early dip will rise through the night, we may have unusually mild 14-16C temps by 9am Thurs!

 Wales

[notice] If your driving tonight, prepare for deteriorating weather conditions as winds are expected to reach ‘gale-force’ widely with ‘severe-gales’ along the coast, Flooding rainfall is a significant concern also [/notice]

Make the most of the relatively pleasant night with some spotty showers and a fresh southwesterly, into the heart of the overnight and conditions rapidly deteriorate with winds cranking to become gale or severe gale-force. Accompanying these potentially damaging winds of 50-70 mph will be heavy, persistent and torrential rains, expect a widespread 1-2 inches with southern up-slopes perhaps collecting as much as 2-4 inches. Flooding is likely and this could force rivers out of their banks and where the ground is already waterlogged from recent rains, it won’t take much for renewed flooding, road closures etc.

The worst of the weather will be through the morning hours, expect treacherous driving conditions. Take your time, leave early and be ready for possible diversions as some roads may close.

Into tomorrow afternoon and the worst of the wind and rain exits east, leaving way for a showery story with winds easing and veering more westerly. Feeling cooler too once the front pushes through.

Northern Ireland

[notice] If your driving tonight, prepare for deteriorating weather conditions as winds are expected to reach ‘gale-force’ widely with ‘severe-gales’ along the coast, Flooding rainfall is a significant concern also [/notice]

It’s been not too bad of a day across Ulster with hit and miss showers, light winds and, for many it’s been dry.

Conditions rapidly go down hill tonight as an intense frontal system sweeps in from off the Atlantic, this system will bring a 3-6 hours spells of very nasty weather with country-wide gales which may turn severe along exposed north and eastern coasts. Gusts may top 50 mph even across inland parts while 60+mph winds can be expected along the coast and over higher ground.

The rainfall is the greatest concern through the overnight as the intense band slows as it spreads east and so a prolonged period of persistent and heavy rain will likely cause flooding issues tomorrow morning. I expect 1-2 inches to fall and on already saturated ground, it won’t take much for rivers to burst banks and roads to close.

Conditions should improve during the late morning on into the afternoon.

Temps will rise through tonight as warm southerlies draw up milder air from the subtropics..

Leave extra time to get to work, take your time and stay safe out there.

Ireland

[notice] If your driving tonight, prepare for deteriorating weather conditions as winds are expected to reach ‘gale-force’ widely with ‘severe-gales’ along the coast, Flooding rainfall is a significant concern also [/notice]

Ireland is in for a rough night as an potent cold front loaded with subtropical moisture is set to dump 2-4 inches across a large swath of the country over the next 12 hours.

Flooding could become a significant problem by rush hour tomorrow. The rate at which the rains fall could lead to flash flooding. Rivers need to be carefully watched and if your travelling, please take extra time to get to your destination.

As well as the intense rains, winds will be gale to severe gale-force with gusts likely to surpass 50 mph even across inland parts while the Atlantic coasts may experience wind gusts beyond 70 mph.

Conditions should improve during the late morning on into the afternoon.

Temps will rise through tonight as warm southerlies draw up milder air from the subtropics..