The Met Office has issued a weather warning for southern parts of England as 70mph wind gusts are expected. Forecasters say there is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, along with the risk of injury and a danger to life in coastal areas most affected.
The 17-hour warning was announced from 7am this morning (Thursday, March 28) and will last until midnight. It mostly covers coastal areas spanning from Cornwall to Essex, while inland areas near London such as Maidstone and Crawley also fall within the warning area.
Met Office details on the warning read: “A deep area of low pressure will bring a spell of very windy weather to parts of southwest England at first, before spreading further east during the day. Gusts of 50 mph are expected quite widely, while some exposed coastal spots may experience gusts of 60 to 70 mph, with large waves also likely.
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“The strong winds will be accompanied by heavy, squally showers with the possibility of hail and thunder in some locations. Hail won’t fall everywhere but where it does it can quickly make road surfaces slippery, while surface water and spray are likely to worsen travel conditions rather more widely.”
Although London doesn’t directly fall within the warning area, forecasters have warned that wind gusts could still reach 46mph in the capital. The worst of the bad weather is expected this evening from 5pm until 9pm.
Cloudy conditions are set to return on Saturday as the Easter forecast suggests a rather gloomy four-day bank holiday.
Met Office five-day forecast
Today:
Overnight rain clearing to give some drier intervals into the morning, with some brighter spells for a time. Increasingly breezy and mostly cloudy into the afternoon however, with showers spreading north and some very strong winds, particularly along the coast. Maximum temperature 12 °C.
Tonight:
Staying windy with showers persisting on and off through the evening and overnight into Friday with skies remaining generally cloudy throughout. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
Friday:
Remaining unsettled and breezy with spells of showers, locally heavy at times, during the day. Temperatures near average but feeling cooler with a fresh breeze. Maximum temperature 14 °C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Becoming generally drier this weekend with sunny spells although the occasional shower remains likely. Temperatures near average but feeling cooler along the coast with a fresh easterly breeze developing.
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