Here’s when heavy rain and severe gales will hit the UK this weekend

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain to parts of the UK, as Storm Ciara is set to hit this weekend (Photo: Shutterstock)The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain to parts of the UK, as Storm Ciara is set to hit this weekend (Photo: Shutterstock)
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain to parts of the UK, as Storm Ciara is set to hit this weekend (Photo: Shutterstock)

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain to parts of the UK, as Storm Ciara is set to hit this weekend.

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The forecaster said, “Storm Ciara will bring heavy rain and widespread gales to the UK this weekend.

“Named by the Met Office on Wednesday, the low-pressure system is currently developing in the North Atlantic and will track eastwards towards the UK and Ireland over the coming days.

“Over the weekend wind gusts will widely reach 50-60 mph across many inland areas, with gusts of 80 mph or higher in coastal areas and exposed locations.”

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Yellow weather warnings for rain in place

There is a Met Office yellow weather warning in place from 3pm on Saturday (8 Feb) to 12pmSunday (9 Feb), covering Northern Ireland, southwest Scotland, the Lothians, the Borders and Strathclyde.

The Met Office said, “One or more periods of heavy rain are expected across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland through late Saturday and early Sunday, leading to some travel disruption and flooding. 20-40 mm will fall quite widely, with a few hilly areas receiving 60-80 mm, all within about 18 hours.

“Poor travel conditions will be exacerbated by the very strong winds, for which separate warnings are in force. Rain will give way to squally showers later on Sunday morning.”

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What to expect from this weather warning:

Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possibleSpray and flooding on roads probably making for difficult driving conditions and longer car and bus journey times; impacts on rail travel are possible too.

A second Met Office yellow weather warning for rain is in place from 12am to 9pm on Sunday (9 Feb), covering North East England, North West England, Wales and Yorkshire and the Humber.

“Heavy rain will affect parts of western England and Wales during Sunday,” adds the Met Office.

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“The heaviest rain will be over high ground where 40-60 mm is expected widely with perhaps up to 80 mm in a few locations.”

Heavy rain is set to hit this weekend (Photo: Shutterstock)

What to expect from this weather warning:

Flooding of a few homes and businesses is likelyBus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longerSpray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer

Frank Saunders, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office said, “An extremely strong jet stream will steer a succession of low-pressure systems towards the UK over the next week, starting with Storm Ciara this weekend.

“Our confidence in the forecast means we have been able to issue severe weather warnings well in advance, giving people time to prepare for potential impacts of the storm.”