Stormy Weather Set to Sweep Across the UK on Wednesday

A powerful swell of stormy weather with heavy rain and strong gusts is forecast to blast the UK on Wednesday. According to Météo-France, the system has been named Storm Noa, and it is expected to intensify as the day progresses, with coastal areas in south-west England, particularly Devon and Cornwall, likely to be hit the hardest. The Met Office has issued a warning of potential short-term power losses and travel disruptions in the region.

In the south-east of England, a yellow weather warning for wind has been extended, as the storm is expected to migrate across the region by Wednesday evening. The Met Office spokesperson, Stephen Dixon, warned of “heavy outbreaks of rain and thunder” in the area, with gusts reaching up to 60 to 70 miles per hour and heavy rain accompanying.

Coastal areas, particularly Devon and Cornwall, are expected to see the worst of the storm, with potential short-term losses of power and disruption to travel. The system is a low-pressure one that is building in from the west and is expected to get worse throughout the day.

Scotland is also expected to experience heavy showers, with western areas predicted to receive over 30mm of rain and other areas seeing about 20mm. Temperatures in Scotland are expected to be around 5C (41F) but will drop to freezing levels overnight, particularly in rural areas in the north of the country.

Northern Ireland has had its yellow warning for wind lifted, although the Met Office expects strong winds of around 50mph in some coastal areas. Meanwhile, travel problems have already hit the road and rail network in south Wales, with train services running across the whole of the South Western Railway network potentially being cancelled or delayed due to high winds.

Major motorways, including two sections of the M4 in Wales and the M48 Severn Bridge, have been closed, with National Highways reporting gusts of 68mph. Overnight, the low-pressure systems are expected to combine and move into the North Sea, leaving behind showers across much of the UK, with winds decreasing throughout Thursday.