Autumn arrives as wet and windy weather sets in

Autumn will make its presence felt this week as much of the UK faces a spell of wet and windy weather.

The remnants of Storm Helene will sweep in throughout Monday night and into Tuesday, bringing gusts of up to 60mph, before two further so-called weather systems bring unsettled weather on Wednesday and Thursday.

The storm, which has prompted a yellow weather warning covering Wales and much of England, was downgraded after initial warnings that it may pose a risk to life, but coastal communities have been warned to stay vigilant.

While winds are forecast to reach 50mph widely across the area within the warning, coasts and hilly parts of south-west England and Wales could experience higher speeds.

(PA Graphics)
(PA Graphics)

Monday brought a mixed picture, with balmy temperatures of 25C (77C) in the south-east of England.

More wet and windy weather is predicted for Wednesday, with a low pressure system coming from Newfoundland, prompting another warning from early-morning Wednesday until late that night.

Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-west Wales and northern England can expect very windy weather, the Met Office said.

Disruption to transport, falling trees, power cuts and even danger to life from flying debris are all possible, the forecaster warned.

A north/south split this evening with heavy #rain across the north, but a fine and sunny end to the day in the south. However, winds will pick up ahead of #StormHelene which arrives later this evening pic.twitter.com/5x569CaqnC

— Met Office (@metoffice) September 17, 2018

By Thursday, heavy rain is expected, especially in western parts of Wales and the north-west of England.

Laura Ellam, deputy meteorologist with the Met Office, said: “Throughout this week we are expecting to see periods of strong winds across parts of the UK, as well as some heavy rain.

“Some very strong winds are possible in the northern half of the UK on Wednesday, then on Thursday areas further south could see a spell of persistent rain.

“The timing and development of both these systems remains uncertain, however, so please keep up to date with the warnings and forecasts.”

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