Two Atlantic storms to bring strong winds to northern UK

Severe weather warnings have been issued as gusts of 100 mph are forecast for the most exposed regions

Met Office weather warnings

The UK is set to see some very unsettled weather as two rapidly deepening Atlantic storms are set to pass just to the north of the country.

Northern Scotland is likely to see the strongest winds as the storms pass by tomorrow and Saturday, with gusts of up to 100 mph or more possible in the most exposed regions.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for northern parts of the UK. Although it will be very windy for most areas, winds will be less strong in southern areas.

The jet stream, a narrow band of fast-moving winds high up in the atmosphere, is playing a role in the development of the storms.

Frank Saunders, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘The jet stream is going to be particularly strong later this week and this effectively fuels the low pressure systems moving across the Atlantic, causing them to deepen rapidly as they pass to the north of the UK.

‘This will bring some very strong winds across the UK, but they will most likely be strongest in northern Scotland – which is expected to see the greatest impacts from the weather.’

Winds are expected to increase significantly late tonight and into tomorrow as the first of two low pressures passes to the north of Scotland.

This system is likely to bring gusts of 60-70 mph across northern parts of the UK and perhaps up to 100 mph or more in the most exposed parts of the far north of Scotland.

The low will move quickly eastwards on Friday afternoon, but there will be little respite before another rapidly deepening low brings further strong winds later on Friday and through the day on Saturday. Again this may bring gusts of 80-90 mph in the far north of Scotland.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for both days, and these will be regularly updated with the latest information.

Mr Saunders added: ‘The outlook for the next few days is very different to conditions last year when the jet stream was taking these storms right across the UK.

‘Because the jet stream is further north, the storms will follow its path and this will mean the far north will see the strongest winds – while winds will be less strong in the south.’