Met Office warns of showery, stormy weather as low-pressure system deepens

Wet conditions on Wednesday in County Antrim. (Image: Anne Kelly)

Unsettled conditions are set to persist across the UK in the coming days, with heavy showers, thunderstorms and strong winds expected to affect many areas heading into the weekend, according to the Met Office.

Today (Wednesday, 10 September), bands of rain and showers are moving northeast across much of the country, with some turning heavy and locally thundery.

Brief sunny spells may appear in places, but a more noticeable clearance is forecast later in the day for western and southwestern regions. These areas will also see strengthening winds, with a risk of coastal gales developing. Temperatures will remain rather cool for the time of year.

Tonight, the unsettled theme continues as a band of heavy rain clears north-eastwards, leaving behind clearer spells alongside blustery showers.

The heaviest downpours are expected near western and southwestern coasts, where thunderstorms are possible. Western Scotland could see more persistent rain, while winds remain strong, particularly across western and northwestern areas, with further risks of coastal gales.

Thursday outlook

On Thursday, windy conditions will persist in the far northwest, with spells of rain affecting parts of Scotland. Elsewhere, the UK can expect a mix of sunshine and blustery showers, some of them heavy with hail and thunder, especially in western areas.

Temperatures will remain near or slightly below seasonal averages.

Friday and weekend forecast

Friday is forecast to bring breezy conditions, with showers spreading from western coasts overnight to become more widespread during the day. Some may turn heavy and merge into longer spells of rain, with isolated thunderstorms possible.

Stronger winds and coastal gales are also likely, though the east of the country should see the driest and brightest conditions.

Looking further ahead, Paul Gundersen, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said:

“We have been monitoring a deepening area of low-pressure over the North Atlantic that might bring impactful weather to the UK, most likely on Sunday and Monday. At present, a named storm is unlikely.”

The Met Office continues to advise the public to keep up to date with the latest weather warnings via its website, YouTube, social media channels, and mobile app, available for both iOS and Android devices.