WIREDGOV

This week will see a change from the mostly dry, cloudy, chilly weather to increasing wind and rain for many and an upturn in temperatures, particularly in the south early in the week.

Storm Barbara, named by the Spanish, will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Portugal and Spain tomorrow and Wednesday. Across the UK Storm Barbara will probably not cause major impacts, but will bring some rain, which could be heavy, to the south east and possibly central England on Wednesday.

However, the development of this storm system is still relatively uncertain and therefore, although not currently expected, there is still the potential for severe gales to affect the extreme south-east of England during this period. Therefore, we are carefully monitoring the storm's development.

Meanwhile, today across the UK we have two yellow National Severe Weather Warnings in place as a series of weather fronts bring rain.

One rain warning covers Northern Ireland where 20-30 mm of rainfall is expected, with some hills and mountains likely to see 40-60 mm. There is a low risk that a few places, in particular the Mourne Mountains, could see as much as 80 mm or more.

The other warning covers parts of Scotland, including the Central Belt, where 50-75 mm of rainfall is expected over hills and mountains. However, a few isolated spots, most likely in Argyll, could see as much as 75-100 mm of rainfall.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Frank Saunders, said;

“Tomorrow (Tuesday) a low-pressure system, sperate to Storm Barbara, will cross Ireland and Northern Ireland bringing gale or even severe gale force winds to some exposed parts of the west and South West of the UK.

“As we look ahead to the rest of the week, we are expecting rain or showers for many areas on Wednesday, possibly heavy and blustery in the South East. It will be quieter on Thursday but more unsettled from Friday, with spells of wet and windy weather moving in from the west.”

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