Soaking rain, gusty winds to spread across UK into Friday night

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather meteorologist

February 3,2017, 2:17:43PM,EST

 

 A new storm blasting into the United Kingdom will continue to unleash soaking rain and strong winds into Friday night. More unsettled weather will follow this weekend.

"Rain will continue to spread from south to north across the U.K. into Friday night," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said, adding that the heaviest rain is targeting western areas.
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.
"Soaking rain will focus on Belfast on Friday night," Pydynowski said. "Drivers will face reduced visibility and a heightened risk of hydroplaning due to standing water."

As rain spreads northward across the southern U.K., winds will become stronger into Friday evening with the greatest impacts across southern Wales and southern England.
"There will be a brief period of winds gusting between 40 and as high as 50 mph (65 to 80 km/h) across the south of England and Wales," AccuWeather Meteorologist Rob Richards said. "This includes London and Cardiff."
Such winds can cause sporadic tree damage, power cuts and minor travel delays.
Stronger winds will put the southern coast of England at greater risk for power cuts and disruptions to air and rail travel. Coastal flooding may also occur at high tide.
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"The coastline will face more prolonged wind gusts of 50-60 mph (80-95 km/h) with isolated higher gusts," Richards said.
Winds gusted to 64 mph (103 km/h) at Berry Head on Friday afternoon.
Gusts will generally be on the order of 30-40 mph (48-65 km/h) as the storm continues to track northward over Scotland on Saturday. Rainy spells, which will be wintry over the hills, will accompany the storm to start the weekend.
Odd showers will follow over many of the same areas on Sunday.
As quick as this storm departs, two more will race eastward from the Atlantic into France this weekend.

"The storms this weekend are expected to track into France far enough to the south that the southern U.K. should escape strong and damaging winds," Pydynowski said. "Rain should still spread across southern England at times, meaning those in London will want to grab a brolly before heading out for weekend plans."
How far north each storm tracks will determine the northern extent of the rain.
"The good news for those with outdoor plans in Wales, away from the western coast, and the West Midlands is that the odd showers this weekend will be confined to Saturday night when most people will be sleeping," Pydynowski said.
Temperatures will otherwise trend back to more seasonable levels for this weekend across the U.K.
Early next week, the storm track should press back to the north and a cold front will sweep through the U.K. with a spell of rain and wind.
"This front will bring the risk of locally damaging winds with gusts exceeding 50 mph (80 km/h) to the western and northern U.K.," Pydynowski said.