Storm Alex will batter the UK this weekend - here's what to expect

Storm Alex will hit the UK on Friday 2 October, bringing heavy rain and strong winds as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning (Photo: Shutterstock)Storm Alex will hit the UK on Friday 2 October, bringing heavy rain and strong winds as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning (Photo: Shutterstock)
Storm Alex will hit the UK on Friday 2 October, bringing heavy rain and strong winds as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning (Photo: Shutterstock)

Storm Alex will hit the UK on Friday 2 October, bringing heavy rain and strong winds as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning.

The storm is set to mainly impact areas in the south of England, but the rest of the UK will experience some wet and windy weather over the weekend, as the storm clears away.

The Met Office explains that on Friday, some places could receive 40-50 mm of rain over the course of 12-18 hours, “most likely in the south of this region whilst the high ground of southeast Wales could see 50-70 mm in a few spots.”

The rainfall will occur with strong gusts of 45-55 mph inland during Friday, and some coastal regions could experience gusts of 60-65 mph, particularly exposed parts of Devon and Cornwall.

Weather warning in place

A yellow weather warning for rain is in place from 3am until 8pm on Friday, as wet and windy weather brings the potential for flooding and transport disruption.

What to expect from this weather warning:

Flooding of a few homes and businesses in urbanised areas is likelySpray and flooding on roads will make for dangerous driving conditions resulting in longer journey times.It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large wavesDelays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likelySome delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likelySome short term loss of power and other services is possible

What will the weather be like this weekend?

The UK is set to see wet weather continue over the weekend, with further Met Office warnings in place.

Steve Ramsdale, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, explains, “As the strong winds and rain associated with Storm Alex clear away from Britain later on Friday, another low-pressure system moves towards the UK from the east bringing further very heavy rain and strong winds to many over the weekend.”

A yellow weather warning for rain is in place from 3am on Saturday 3 October until 6pm on Sunday 4 October, covering Central, Tayside & Fife, East Midlands, East of England, Grampian, Highlands & Eilean Siar, London & South East England, North East England, North West England SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, South West England, Wales and Yorkshire & Humber.

Heavy rain will push north and west across the UK, clearing from much of southeast England by Saturday afternoon.

However, rain is expected to remain heavy and persistent throughout Saturday and into mid-Sunday across eastern Scotland, the far northeast of England, much of Wales, and southwest England.

This is then likely to bring flooding and some disruption to travel, as many places will see 25-50 mm of rainfall, with totals of 100-125 mm expected over the high ground of eastern Scotland, and perhaps parts of Wales and southwest England.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Nick Silkstone, said, “Saturday will be a very wet day as heavy bands of rain push north and west across the country, followed by showery rain on Sunday. It’ll be cold and windy too with a risk of coastal gales in some areas.”

A version of this article originally appeared on our sister title, The News.