When will the wind stop? Latest UK weather forecast as Storm Gerrit eases
The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, as more chaotic weather follows in the wake of Storm Gerrit.
Gusts of up to 75mph could barrel into parts of the south of England and Wales on Saturday, the weather agency has said.
A yellow weather warning for wind is in place for parts of the South East, South West, East Anglia and Wales from 11am on Saturday until 3am on New Year’s Eve.
A separate yellow warning for rain covers much of Northern Ireland from midnight until 11am on Saturday, with up to 25mm of rain expected in just a few hours.
The festive period has seen its fair share of ferocious winds and unpredictable temperatures, delivering everything from heavy snow to a tornado in Manchester.
The Met Office has said the final days of 2023 will see more strong wind, rain, and snow.
The Environment Agency has 33 active flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, covering rivers including the Severn and Ouse.
And after Storm Gerrit’s 60-70 mph winds, another bout of low-pressure threatens festive plans.
A second bomb cyclone, a storm which intensifies very rapidly, is set to be named Storm Henk by Met Eire and is predicted to hit Ireland on Saturday, rippling into the UK by 31 December, forecasters have said.
It is predicted to be less aggressive than the impact of the previous storm on the UK.
Around 1,500 properties in Scotland are still suffering electricity cuts, with people in the north-east and Shetland among the worst affected.
Friday will continue to be dry and cloudy for most of the UK, except North of England, where there may be occasional showers or even sleet. Stronger winds are anticipated in parts of Scotland and North of England, while rain is expected from the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Saturday will continue to see unsettled weather with heavy rain and widespread cloud across much of the UK, and snow is expected over much of Scotland.
Met Office chief forecaster Steven Ramsdale said: “Heavy rain will spread across all but the far north on Saturday, affecting similar areas previously affected by Storm Gerrit.
“However, this rainfall will be a step down from that seen during Storm Gerrit.”
Light showers have are predicted throughout the day on New Year’s Eve, with plenty of cloud and grey skies, while the new year will kick off with a mostly dry start on the Monday, giving way to heavy rain over South of England by evening.
By 7 January we will be in for wintry showers, and much colder conditions, with widespread ice and snow weather warnings likely.
The Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings for wind and snow on Thursday across Wales, the North West and the Shetland Islands, but has not yet issued any warnings for the UK for the new year, although temperatures are expected to drop.
Nick Silkstone, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, said: “Through to mid-January, there is a signal for a shift in the pattern compared to the winter so far, with more settled and colder-than-average conditions becoming increasingly likely.”
