Weather Turns Windy and Milder in United Kingdom

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist

January 26,2013; 7:53PM,EST

Following the snow and wintry mix that fell across parts of the United Kingdom on Friday night, a milder ocean air mass swept across the region on Saturday.

The first in a series of milder storms spread rainfall across Ireland on Saturday, reaching Wales and southwest England by the end of the day. The rain will continue to spread eastward Saturday night.
The combination of rainfall and snow melt can lead to some flooding problems across the interior of England.
Gusty winds will accompany this storm with the strongest winds likely across Ireland, Wales and southwest England where gale-force winds are possible, especially near the coastline.
Gusty winds will continue across Ireland and the United Kingdom on Sunday, but rainfall will be limited to some showers at and near west-facing coasts.

The second in the series of storms will target the region on Monday with outbreaks of rain expected in Ireland, Wales, northern England and western Scotland. Lighter rainfall will reach London by the end of the day.
The winds associated with the second storm will be even stronger than the first, reaching gale-force from Ireland into Wales and England. The strongest winds will again likely impact coastal regions, but damaging winds will also be possible in the London area. Winds in excess of 60 knots will be possible for west-facing coasts of Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Elsewhere wind gusts over 40 knots will be possible.
The potential exists for winds to down trees and power lines, leading to widespread power outages. Winds and waves along west- and southwest-facing coastlines will likely lead to coastal flooding problems.
Yet another cold front will blast across Ireland and the United Kingdom on Tuesday leading to more locally damaging winds.