The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning for Friday as the storm weather forecast points to gusts of up to 70mph and the possible first named storm of autumn. The warning runs from midnight to 12:00 BST and covers south-west Wales, south-west England and the coast towards west Sussex.
Winds are expected to strengthen to 50-60mph in many places, with the highest risk of disruptive gusts in more exposed spots. The Met Office also says there could be travel disruption, damage to buildings and a small risk of power cuts.
Met Office Friday warning
For people in the warned areas, the timing matters as much as the strength of the wind. The strongest gusts are expected later on Friday, when the deep low pressure system is forecast to pass south of the UK.
The Met Office says the week ahead will be the wettest and windiest of autumn so far. Heavy rain is forecast to spread across much of England and east Wales on Tuesday, before heading towards Scotland later in the day.
England and Wales rain
More areas of rain are likely to affect many parts of the UK on Wednesday, with rain expected at times across the country through the week. The deep low pressure system is the feature driving both the wind and rain.
There is still some uncertainty over its exact track, and that track will decide where the strongest winds and heaviest rain fall. Current forecasts place the highest risk of disruptive winds over southernmost parts of England and Wales, with some eastern coastal counties of England possibly affected later on Friday.
Friday in the UK
The first named storm of the season could develop later this week if the low pressure system is named. Until then, the practical issue for people in the warning area is the wind window from midnight to 12:00 BST on Friday, when exposed locations may see the strongest gusts.
