Weather warning updated with Storm Pia to cause strong winds and heavy rain
The Met Office has updated its yellow weather warning with Storm Pia set to bring strong winds across the UK on Thursday.
A notably deep area of low pressure will track to the north of the UK over the Norwegian Sea through Wednesday night and into Thursday.
The warning, effective from Wednesday night through to 9pm Thursday, anticipates severe winds affecting a large swathe of the country, including Wrexham.
This will bring very strong winds and heavy showers to a large portion of the UK, with a Yellow National Severe Weather Warning covering Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern England and the north of Wales.
Locally gusts of up to 50mph are forecast throughout Thursday.
Stronger gusts of 65-70 mph over and to the east of high ground, primarily in the northern regions.
Wet conditions are also forecast with heavy rain expected for most of the UK.
The strong winds could cause travel disruptions, affecting bus, train, road, air, and ferry transport, the Met Office warns.
High-sided vehicles may face delays on exposed routes and bridges. Short-term power losses and other service disruptions are also expected.
Coastal routes, seafronts, and communities should be wary of large waves and spray.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Almond said: “From late Wednesday into Thursday, strong winds are likely to develop across a large area of the UK. We’ve issued a large yellow warning area where there’s a potential for some impacts, but gusts of 50-60mph are possible for large parts of central and northern areas of the UK.
“Exposed coasts and high ground could see gusts of 70-80mph at times. There’s a chance this low pressure will continue to exert its influence into Friday, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecast.”
It’ll remain windy for many on Friday, with further periods of rain likely to sweep in from the west, but any snow will be confined to the hills of Scotland.
Looking ahead it is unlikely to be a white Christmas for many of us.
Instead heavy rain is forecast across the west and northwesterly parts of the UK.
Chris explained: “On Christmas Day there’s a chance of showers almost anywhere, and across the high ground of Scotland in particular, these could fall as sleet and snow, which would technically make it a White Christmas, as we only need to see a single flake falling.
“However, for the majority of the UK it’s unlikely that we’ll see significant snow, but it will likely feel cold in a strong breeze.
“Beyond Christmas Day a westerly influence on the weather remains the most likely scenario, with further rain or showers and strong winds for many, and again mainly over the hills of Scotland, some sleet and snow is likely, as is often the case in December.”
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