The United Kingdom is set to be hit by stormy weather later this week as a powerful Atlantic jet stream approaches, bringing the threat of gales to parts of the country. The Met Office has already issued a yellow warning for wind on Friday and Saturday covering northern and western Scotland as well as Northern Ireland. Gusts of up to 80mph could bring localised damage, power cuts and travel disruption, with heavy rain and hill snow also expected. This marks a significant change from the quiet, rather cold weather that has dominated over the last week.
Over recent days, the jet stream near the UK has been weak and diffuse in nature, allowing high pressure to linger close by, which has kept powerful weather systems away from the country’s shores. However, events on the other side of the Atlantic mean that this is set to change. Frigid Arctic air is surging southwards across North America, causing snow in southern states and strengthening the jet stream. This will cause an area of low pressure to deepen rapidly as it heads towards the UK and this is where the risk of gales and disruption lies.
At this stage, the exact wind levels expected and their geographical impact are uncertain. However, weather analysts suggest the north-west of the country, covering Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England, are most at risk. Outbreaks of rain are also likely, and while it will turn milder for some, especially in the south, snow is expected to fall over hills in Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland.
It is possible that this area of low pressure could be named by either the UK Met Office or Ireland’s Met Éireann, although this is by no means certain. It will depend on the impact the low pressure is expected to create as forecast accuracy grows in the next few days. Whether it receives a name or not, it is likely to bring more turbulent weather, with weather models suggesting that further deep areas of low pressure could pass close to the UK next week. The public is advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts and warnings
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