The UK is set to be hit with a series of yellow weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds over the coming days.
Strong winds of about 50mph are forecast across Wales and south-west England from 10pm on Monday until 4pm on Tuesday. The Met Office warned gusts of up to 70mph are possible along some exposed coasts and high ground in north west Wales.
It said transport networks could face disruption, with delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges, and coastal roads and seafronts affected by spray and large waves. The wind could also cause power outages.
Flooding is also possible as downpours of up to 100mm has been forecast across Wales and south-west England from 8pm on Monday to 6pm on Tuesday. The warning also spreads to parts of Hampshire and Oxfordshire.
The forecaster has warned there is the potential for flooding of homes and businesses and warnings that some communities could be cut off.
Another rain warning is in place for north-west England from midnight on Tuesday until 3pm, while a wind warning has been issued for north-west Scotland from 3pm on Tuesday until 10am on Wednesday.
The Met Office said: “Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life.”
The latest advisories follow a yellow warning for heavy rain in Northern Ireland on Sunday.
Twelve flood warnings were in place across England early on Monday morning.
Gusts of up to 40mph hit parts of the south coast overnight into Saturday, with firefighters in Seaford, East Sussex, called to reports that a garage roof and door had become detached in the high winds.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: “Whilst there is some uncertainty as to the exact track and intensity of the area of low pressure as it passes close to western Scotland later on Tuesday, many parts of the UK are likely to see spells of rain which, given saturated ground, could lead to flooding and delays to road and rail travel.
“In addition, strong winds are expected, particularly in northern and western areas. We are closely monitoring developments and may issue updates to the warnings as the situation evolves.”
The Met Office forecast for the rest of December remains unsettled, with further periods of low pressure predicted.
Meteorologists said it was too early to provide an accurate forecast for the Christmas period.
Here is the Met Office’s forecast for the next five days:
Monday:
Showers continuing across Northern Ireland and Scotland, but drier later. Sunny spells for much of northern England and northern Wales. Rather cloudy elsewhere with spells of rain. Turning very wet and windy later from the southwest.
Heavy rain and strong to gale force winds will spread northeast from southwest England overnight, likely brining some flooding and travel disruption. Turning increasingly mild throughout the night.
Tuesday:
Wet and very windy in the north, especially for western Scotland. Elsewhere, rain clearing eastwards to sunny spells and isolated showers. A blustery and very mild day for all.
Wednesday to Friday:
Heavy rain and and strong winds into Wednesday, especially across western Scotland. A brief settled period on Thursday. Further strong winds and rain possible on Friday. Remaining mild throughout.
