Numerous storms to threaten southern UK with strong winds, rain through Sunday

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather meteorologist

February 1,2017, 9:41:08AM,EST

 

A series of storms will lash parts of Wales and England into the weekend.
If any of the storms are forecast to produce damaging winds, significant impacts to travel and power cuts, a name will be applied to the storm.
So far this season there have been three named wind storms, although none were named during the month of January. The next name that will be given is Doris.

The first storm will arrive on Thursday with spells of rain and strong winds throughout the United Kingdom.
Widespread wind gusts of 20-30 mph (32-48 km/h) are expected with gusts reaching 40 mph (65 km/h) in southwestern England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
A second storm will quickly approach, bringing more unsettled weather on Friday.
A dull start to the day is expected before the approaching storm brings increased wind and rain to southwestern England and southern Wales during the late morning.
Rain will spread across the rest of Wales and southern England during the afternoon, reaching Greater London late in the day.
Winds will become stronger during the afternoon and evening hours with the greatest impacts across southern Wales and southern England.
Widespread wind gusts of 30-40 mph (48-65 km/h) are expected with gusts reaching 50 mph (80 km/h) across the higher terrain and exposed coastal regions of Wales and southern England.
Greater London could have wind gusts near 40 mph (65 km/h) late in the afternoon and evening.
If this storm tracks farther north, stronger winds will impact the southern U.K. which could result in power cuts while also impacting rail and air travel.
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Rainfall is not expected to be heavy enough to produce widespread flooding problems. However, localized amounts up to 25 mm (1 inch) could result in slower travel across Wales and southwestern England.
Another storm racing in from the Atlantic will bring a third round of rain and wind to the southern U.K. on Saturday.
The greatest impacts from this storm are expected across northern France; however, a period of heavy rain and gusty winds is expected across southern and southeastern England.
A fourth storm taking a similar track on Sunday will bring more rain and gusty winds to southern parts of the U.K.
While the worst impacts are currently expected across northern France, if either storm tracks farther north, damaging winds could impact the region and result in a named wind storm.