Britain braced for weekend of “autumn” storms bringing 55mph gales and heavy rain
Huge waves expected on UK coastline as powerful winds batter the country
BRITAIN is battening down the hatches for the first “autumn” storm of the year to unleash 55mph gales from tonight.
Strong winds and heavy rain threaten a "shock to the system" this weekend as a violent weather system sweeps in from the Atlantic.
Southern regions are on alert for mammoth waves to crash into the coasts as low pressure drags a swell of sea water towards the UK.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for Saturday with strong winds likely to spark travel problems and disruption to weekend plans.
Worst affected will be the southwest, Wales, the west Midlands and parts of the southeast where inland gales could touch 45mph.
Coastal regions face gusts of up to 55mph with forecasters warning temperatures will also take a tumble.
Thermometers will hover around the 21C (70F) mark in the south with the north struggling to get much above the mid teens in the coming days.
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Netweather forecaster Matt Hugo said the unusually stormy conditions are down to the jet stream positioned close to the UK.
He warned to expect a “very different” weekend ahead compared to the balmy conditions earlier in the week.
He said: “As we approach the end of the week and move into the weekend, the jet stream will allow for the development of an area of low pressure to move into the UK from the southwest.
“Seeing that the jet stream is forecast to be well organised for the time of year then this will allow the surface low pressure to become quite deep, bringing more prolonged spells of rain, in association with its weather fronts, along with some potentially unseasonably windy weather too.
“This, unfortunately, means a very different weekend coming up than compared with the weekend just gone, with spells of wet and windy weather on the way along with cooler temperatures.”
Weather charts show a deep low pressure system dragging a surge of water from the Atlantic as it hurtles towards Britain.
Southwest coastal regions face 20ft waves tumbling over sea defences threatening localised floods.
WeatherOnline forecaster Simon Keeling warned to expect a “shock to the system” with an autumnal spell of weather on the way.
However he said the outlook for next week is for more settled warm conditions as the erratic summer weather continues.
He said: “There will be a bit of a shock this weekend as the weather turns distinctly autumnal.
“Low pressure will be bringing strong winds and heavy showers as well as cooler temperatures.
“However, more mixed summer-like conditions are set to return into next week.
“There will be rain at times, but this will be followed by showers.
“Probably warmer again for a time in the middle of the week.”
Met Office chief forecaster Frank Saunders warned of a turbulent start to the weekend with wind and rain forecast through tomorrow (Saturday).
He said: “A spell of unseasonably strong southwesterly winds, accompanied by heavy, blustery showers, is expected to develop across the south of the UK later on Friday but peaking during Saturday daytime.
“Additionally the strongest winds will lead to large waves round exposed coastlines.
“Gusts of up to 45 mph inland, and 45 to 55 mph along exposed coastlines, are expected.
Please be aware that these may lead to disruption to transport, and in view of the time of the year there is increased potential for disruption to holidaymakers and outdoor activities