UK Weather: Britain faces windiest week since last winter

Britain faces the windiest week since last winter as hurricanes strengthen a 1,000-mile wide 70mph storm hitting the UK on Sunday– and more gales will follow in the coming days.

Hurricanes Lee and Maria, now downgraded to storms, are boosting rain from the giant Atlantic tempest. The Met Office warned of floods tomorrow with up to 80mm of rain in the West.

Travel disruption is due on Monday with strong winds for all and gusts up to 70mph in the North. The South is due gale-force 40mph gusts.

Britain faces the windiest week since last winter as hurricanes strengthen a 1,000-mile wide 70mph storm hitting the UK on Sunday– and more gales will follow in the coming days. Pictured, a family walks along Boscombe beach, Bournemouth, this morning

Hurricanes Lee and Maria, now downgraded to storms, are boosting rain from the giant Atlantic tempest. The Met Office warned of floods tomorrow with up to 80mm of rain in the West. Pictured, a surfer rides a wave on Boscombe beach this morning

Hurricanes Lee and Maria, now downgraded to storms, are boosting rain from the giant Atlantic tempest. The Met Office warned of floods tomorrow with up to 80mm of rain in the West. Pictured, a surfer rides a wave on Boscombe beach this morning

Pictured, ramblers making the most of the weather amidst the autumnal colours in Wimbledon Common today 

Pictured, ramblers making the most of the weather amidst the autumnal colours in Wimbledon Common today 

The coming week will be Britain's windiest since the end of last winter when Storms Doris and Ewan hit on February 23 and 26, said The Weather Company, the world's biggest commercial forecaster. Pictured, a woman walking her dog through a north London park under cloudy and grey skies this morning

The coming week will be Britain’s windiest since the end of last winter when Storms Doris and Ewan hit on February 23 and 26, said The Weather Company, the world’s biggest commercial forecaster. Pictured, a woman walking her dog through a north London park under cloudy and grey skies this morning

Met Office forecaster Sophie Yeomans said: 'Remnants of Hurricanes Lee and Maria are increasing rain amounts until Monday from a low pressure system. Pictured, a woman jogs in a north London park today

Met Office forecaster Sophie Yeomans said: ‘Remnants of Hurricanes Lee and Maria are increasing rain amounts until Monday from a low pressure system. Pictured, a woman jogs in a north London park today

Blackouts and blocked roads are expected. Floods are ‘probable’ in the North and Wales, and ‘possible’ in the South, the Environment Agency said.

The AA predicted increased call-outs. AA spokesperson Luke Bosdet said: ‘Check for disruptions on your route before you travel and do not drive through floodwater.’

Tuesday will be windy and more gales are due into Thursday and again next weekend, worst in the North, said Government forecasters.

The coming week will be Britain’s windiest since the end of last winter when Storms Doris and Ewan hit on February 23 and 26, said The Weather Company, the world’s biggest commercial forecaster.

A surfer off Boscombe beach, Bournemouth, as Britain is on course for heavy rain and gales as remnants of Hurricane Lee and Maria batter the UK

A surfer off Boscombe beach, Bournemouth, as Britain is on course for heavy rain and gales as remnants of Hurricane Lee and Maria batter the UK

Pictured, grandmother Rosemary and two-year-old Finley play on Boscombe beach, Bournemouth

Pictured, grandmother Rosemary and two-year-old Finley play on Boscombe beach, Bournemouth

Hot air balloons from all over the country descend upon York's Knavesmire this morning for the first York Balloon Fiesta, a weekend of events held on the city's racecourse

Hot air balloons from all over the country descend upon York’s Knavesmire this morning for the first York Balloon Fiesta, a weekend of events held on the city’s racecourse

Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples said: 'People should check the forecast before travelling and be prepared for journeys to take longer'

Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples said: ‘People should check the forecast before travelling and be prepared for journeys to take longer’

This map from the US National Hurricane centre (from this morning) shows the tail ends of Hurricanes Maria and Lee heading towards the UK 

This map from the US National Hurricane centre (from this morning) shows the tail ends of Hurricanes Maria and Lee heading towards the UK 

Met Office forecaster Sophie Yeomans said: ‘Remnants of Hurricanes Lee and Maria are increasing rain amounts until Monday from a low pressure system.

‘Up to 80mm could fall and lead to localised flooding.

‘Monday will be windy for all parts with the chance of gusts as high as 70mph locally and the risk of wind impacts to travel.

Previous storms that have battered the UK

Hurricane Bertha, August 2014: 94mph gusts and floods. 

Hurricane Katia, September 2011: 98mph gusts caused one death and widespread travel chaos.

Hurricane Charley: Hit Ireland in August 1986, causing the worst flooding in a century.

‘It will be windy during the next week, especially across the North.

‘Another low pressure system comes in later on Wednesday – and next weekend sees rainy spells and gales, perhaps severe gales.’

Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples said: ‘People should check the forecast before travelling and be prepared for journeys to take longer.’

Leon Brown, head of meteorological operations at The Weather Channel, owned by The Weather Company, said: ‘The coming week looks like the windiest spell since the end of last winter, when storms Doris and Ewan occurred in February.’

Today will be rather cloudy across much of England and Wales with rain at times, especially in western parts, but a few brighter spells are possible further east. Scotland and Northern Ireland will have sunny spells, but with showers likely at times too. 

The highest temperatures today will be around 15C in Brighton.

Sunday will be wet and windy for all, with the heaviest rain in northern and western parts through the morning. 

On Monday there will be gales across Scotland. Showers in the north, drier further south but with a chance of some rain later.

Met Office forecaster Sophie Yeomans said: 'Remnants of Hurricanes Lee and Maria are increasing rain amounts until Monday from a low pressure system'

Met Office forecaster Sophie Yeomans said: ‘Remnants of Hurricanes Lee and Maria are increasing rain amounts until Monday from a low pressure system’

Travel disruption is due on Monday with strong winds for all and gusts up to 70mph in the North. The South is due gale-force 40mph gusts. Pictured, people in a north London park covered with dry autumn leaves today

Travel disruption is due on Monday with strong winds for all and gusts up to 70mph in the North. The South is due gale-force 40mph gusts. Pictured, people in a north London park covered with dry autumn leaves today

There are yellow weather warnings in place for Sunday and Monday, with forecasters warning deluges and sharp gusts will cause widespread travel disruption. Pictured: Shoppers try to keep dry under umbrellas in Preston, Lancashire yesterday

There are yellow weather warnings in place for Sunday and Monday, with forecasters warning deluges and sharp gusts will cause widespread travel disruption. Pictured: Shoppers try to keep dry under umbrellas in Preston, Lancashire yesterday

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