A Met Office yellow weather warning remains in effect until 6pm today, with wind gusts reaching up to 70mph expected to cause travel disruptions, power outages, and hazardous coastal conditions. The warning initially came into force on Sunday evening and is expected to impact much of Monday. The Met Office said that the “strong and gusty winds are likely to cause some disruption to travel and interruptions to power.”
The unsettled weather follows a stormy weekend that saw parts of the UK, including Cardiff, soaked with over 30mm of rain. More rain is forecast for Monday, particularly across the Midlands and western regions.
The Met Office has warned: “People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
“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. Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
Now, forecasters from Netweather state that there is also a risk of tornadoes.
Meteorologist Nick Finnis from Netweather wrote on the website’s blog: “There is risk of flash-flooding and a low risk of a tornado with this squally rain in the south, as highlighted in the Severe Thunderstorm Watch (STW) issued.”
Netweather’s STW also states: “There is potential for organisation of convection, possibly some thunderstorm developing, forming into linear multi-cell convective clusters or even one or two transitory supercell structures capable of producing locally damaging wind gusts and one or two brief isolated tornadoes. Intense rainfall leading to flash-flooding will also be a hazard with this activity.”
The rest of the week is set to remain unsettled and windy, with spells of rain and showers expected across much of the UK, according to the latest forecast from the Met Office.
On Tuesday, much of the UK will see a mix of sunshine and showers, with the wettest weather continuing in Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, and parts of northern England. With lighter winds than in recent days, it will feel slightly warmer in some areas.
Wednesday is forecast to be a wet and blustery day for many, with widespread rain and gusty winds, the Met Office said. Conditions on Thursday and Friday will remain changeable, with intermittent showers and longer spells of rain, especially in the north and west though some occasional sunny spells may appear in the southeast.