UK weather: Met Office issues 39-HOUR ‘danger to life’ warning for flash floods & 80mph winds – check map of locations

THE Met Office has issued a 39-hour “danger to life” weather warning, with flash floods and 80mph winds on the way.

Britain is being battered by the early onset of winter, having already seen ice and freezing fog causing havoc for journey times today.

Fresh warnings for wind have been issued ahead of what is expected to be a stormy end to the week for much of the UK.

They culminate with a rain and wind warning from 3pm on Friday, lasting until 6am on Sunday, covering all of England and Wales.

The warning states: “There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris.”

And adds: “There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life.”

It comes after Braemar in the northern Scottish Highlands was hit by a bone-chilling -6.4C last night.

LOWER PRESSURE

As of this evening and in the coming days, the UK will be affected by a series of low-pressure systems, bringing very wet and windy weather for many.

A Yellow warning for wind in parts of north and northwest Scotland is currently in place until 9am tomorrow.

Neil Armstrong, chief meteorologist, said: “A spell of strong winds will affect parts of northern Scotland from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday morning.

“Winds will initially be south or southeasterly, but turn westerly during Thursday morning.

“Gusts will reach 50-60 mph widely with 65-75mph possible in places, especially around exposed coasts.

“A band of rain will also move eastwards across the UK overnight, bringing heavy rain to most parts of the UK as it crosses the country. We expect this rain to clear the southeast of England by 7am on Thursday morning, before another spell of wet and windy weather begins.”

Thursday will remain blustery, especially in the north, with further areas of rain, which will be heavy at times, moving eastwards through the day.

Some of this rain will fall as snow over the highest ground in Scotland.

Squally conditions are possible alongside the heavy rain in the south of the UK through the evening rush hour, bringing some potential challenges for the transport network.

A yellow warning for wind across Northern Ireland, parts of Scotland, north Wales, northern England, the north Midlands and East Anglia has been issued from Thursday afternoon until Friday morning.

Mike Silverstone, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “While there is still uncertainty about the track and depth of the low pressure, Friday night and Saturday will be wet and very windy across parts of the UK.

“Some model solutions have the low pressure further north and much deeper, bringing very strong winds and heavy rain, whilst other model solutions have the low pressure further south and not as deep, still bringing unsettled weather but not as impactful.

“Given the potential for disruption from this system, it is important to keep up to date with the latest forecast.

“National Severe Weather Warnings are likely to be updated as certainty around the unsettled weather increases.”

Once this low-pressure system has cleared the UK, it looks likely that colder northerly air will again push down across the UK from the north, says the Met Office.

According to the forecaster’s long range weather report, from December 17 to 31, high pressure is expected to dominate initially, especially in southern areas, bringing settled conditions.

Northern and northwest regions may still see occasional rain from frontal systems.

Towards the end of the month, high pressure may return, leading to drier and calmer weather, particularly in the south.