Snow and Arctic winds are forecast for next week with three 500 mile-wide ‘Atlantic storm vortexes’ set to hit the UK.
The wet weather conditions could also cause floods in parts of the country, forecasters said.
Three inches of rain are forecast over the next week in the Midlands, two inches in the South and an inch in the North – with Scotland due to experience some snow too.
Forecasters say that 15 days of 60mph gales are expected this winter.
And 60mph gusts and three inches’ rain are due from the vortexes tomorrow, Wednesday and Saturday, with gales continuing into half-term next week.
(Image: Getty Images)
Washouts are also due, with 50mph gusts in the west from later tomorrow, 60mph in the south from Wednesday and more widespread gales from Saturday.
Sunday, October 18, is expected to be a cloudy day in most parts of the country, with some sunny spells for some, according to the Met Office.
Patchy rain and drizzle are expected in places, most likely parts of Scotland, northern England and north Wales.
(Image: Alistair Grant Freelance / wxcharts)
In the evening, some rain might develop especially in the North, with heavy downpours over western Scotland.
Similarly, Monday is expected to be another cloudy day, with spells of rain and windy conditions.
The weather is set to be dry and brighter in the South and East of England.
The following week, in the run-up to Halloween, rain is forecast for most and stormy conditions are expected in the North, with cold air.
(Image: Getty Images)
It comes as 15 days with 60mph gales in the UK were forecast this winter by The Weather Company, the world’s biggest commercial forecaster.
The Met Office long-range forecast has warned of stormier-than-usual conditions.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “Yuck – a big change is ahead with the next week not looking nice at all.
“There will be stronger winds and heavy rain, with potential for deep low pressure in midweek and hints of further vigorous systems.”
(Image: SWNS)
Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: “A vortex of wind and rain is forecast in a volatile spell. And there may be a snow covering on Scotland’s mountains.
“From October 26, the UK may well be buffeted by further frequent spells of wet and windy weather, with chilly Arctic winds more common than mild southerlies.”
A Met Office forecaster said: “It turns increasingly unsettled on Monday and Tuesday, with rain and stronger winds from the west.
“Unsettled conditions are expected to dominate until October 30, with rain in many parts and gales or severe gales in the North-West at times around coasts.”
Leon Brown, head of meteorological operations at The Weather Company’s Weather Channel arm, said: “Around 15 days with wind gusts over 60mph somewhere in the UK are forecast by the end of winter.
“Stormy periods with floods and transport impacts are expected.”
The Met Office autumn forecast said: “September-November has a greater likelihood of windy or stormy weather than usual.”
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today
Most areas seeing another fairly cloudy day with only a few sunny spells for some. Cloud then also thick enough for some light and patchy rain and drizzle in places, most likely parts of Scotland, northern England and north Wales.
Tonight
Spells of rain developing over Northern Ireland, Scotland, north Wales and northern England. Some heavy rain over western Scotland too. Elsewhere, mostly dry with a few mist or fog patches.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with spells of rain in the north and west, rain heavy at times in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Dry and brighter in the south and east. Windy.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday
Unsettled with spells of rain for all through Tuesday and Wednesday. Windy, too, with gales likely. Settling down from the north on Thursday, though with an increased risk of frost.
-- to www.mirror.co.uk
