UK Weather Warning: Heavy Rain and 75mph Winds to Batter

Heavy rain and winds reaching up to 75 mph are forecast to hit the UK this week, starting in southern England late Wednesday before spreading northeast and lasting through late Thursday.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across southern England, the East Midlands, parts of Wales, and Yorkshire, effective until 9 p.m. on Thursday.

According to the Met Office, a strong jet stream will push a deep low-pressure system across the country on Thursday, bringing widespread heavy rainfall and strong winds. Rain is expected to begin Wednesday evening, with some areas seeing up to 50mm by early Thursday, and even higher totals possible in North Devon, Cornwall, and eastern England.

Winds could reach up to 55 mph across much of the warning area, with gusts near 65 mph along coastal regions. The forecaster warned that these conditions could cause power outages, travel disruptions, property damage, and, in coastal areas, potential injuries or threats to life from large waves and debris thrown onto roads and seafronts.

Another yellow warning for wind has been issued for Thursday, covering southwest England and parts of Wales, including Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Swansea, and Pembrokeshire. Winds in these regions are expected to reach around 45 mph widely, and up to 60 mph along exposed coastlines and headlands.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said the deepening low-pressure system is expected to bring strong winds and gales, especially around southern and eastern coasts, with gusts possibly exceeding 60 mph in some areas.

Before Wednesday, the weather will consist of a mix of sunny intervals and scattered showers. The Met Office also advised people to take precautions by securing property, avoiding unnecessary travel, being cautious near the coast and cliffs, and staying indoors as much as possible during the storm.