A major bridge has been closed as the UK is to be battered by 70mph winds and heavy rain over the next few days - despite enjoying temperatures hotter than Greece.
The M48 Severn Bridge is closed between J1 and J2 due to strong winds this morning as yellow warnings remain in place.
Up to 7cm of rain is possible in areas of southwest and central Scotland, prompting travel disruption and possible flooding throughout Friday the Met Office says. A yellow rain warning will be in place until 6pm.
Large waves and spray will affect coastal communities throughout Friday, the forecaster says, with power cuts possible in the affected areas.
After a calmer Saturday, Sunday will see weather warnings return, this time covering the majority of the UK barring parts of the Midlands, and southern and eastern England.
Key Points
- Mapped: Where 70mph winds will batter Britain while other regions enjoy unseasonably warm weather
- UK to be hotter than Greece this weekend as Met Office issue weather warning
- Severn Bridge closed in both directions due to high winds
In pictures: Latest view of Severn Bridge closed due to high winds
10:20
,
Barney Davis
'Low pressure front to bring heavy rain and high winds'
10:13
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Barney Davis
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said low pressure will head toward the UK over the coming days which will bring strong winds and rainfall to much of the country.
"This low pressure system is going to pep up as it heads its way between the UK and Iceland," Mr Deakin said. "But these weather fronts moving in across the UK that tells us it's going to be windy.
"So, we've got warnings in place for the wind and for further rainfall because the ground has now been wetted up by the rainfall over recent days and to come today. There could be further issues from the wind and the rain on Sunday."
Winds gathering pace in Wales and south west England
09:39
The Met Office has warned that southerly winds will increase on Friday morning, with gusts of 50-60 mph likely for exposed coasts and hills of western Britain.
Some parts of the warning area may see gusts of 70 mph for a time. Winds are expected to ease from the west during the afternoon.
Severn Bridges closed in both directions due to high winds
09:04
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Barney Davis
The Severn Bridges are both closed due to heavy 70mph winds battering Gloucestershire.
The M48 Severn Bridge in South Gloucestershire is closed between J1 and J2 (Chepstow) due to strong winds.
Traffic is being diverted via the Prince of Wales Bridge on the M4.
A spokesman said: “Please be aware, we're investigating an issue with our website which is incorrectly displaying the M48 Severn Crossing as open. The bridge is closed between J1 and J2 due to strong winds in the area.”
'Put your hot water bottles away' Met Office celebrates mild evening
09:02
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Barney Davis
The Met Office is urging Brits to put their hot water bottles away for another year.
A spokesman said: “After weeks of needing the blankets and hot water bottles, most of us can put them away. It's set to be very mild, with overnight temperatures likely to remain higher than the values we would normally expect by day at this time of the year.”
Yellow wind and rain warnings still in place on Friday morning
08:30
,
Barney Davis
A warning for rain has been issued from 6am until 6pm for south-west and north-east Scotland on Friday, with forecasters predicting travel disruption, power cuts, and flooding.
Another warning for strong winds runs from 8am until 3pm for south-west Scotland and West Wales on Friday, while a yellow wind warning will be in place in the east of Northern Ireland from 6am to 1pm.
Despite predicting a mild start to Friday, the Met Office warned of heavy pulses of rain accompanied by gales around coastal areas and hills.
Wet and windy start to Friday - Met Office
07:57
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Barney Davis
Wet and windy to kick off Friday ️ ️
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 20, 2025
Heavy pulses of rain will be accompanied by gales around coasts and hills
Despite this, it will also be a mild start to the day pic.twitter.com/EDesJ9Ta0B
Mapped: Where 70mph winds will batter Britain while other regions enjoy unseasonably warm weather
Thursday 20 February 2025 16:33
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Alex Croft
The UK has been hit with a number of yellow weather warnings for wind and rain, just as the temperature is set to increase after a spell of cold weather earlier this month.
The entire west of England, across the north, south and midlands, as well as the entirety Scotland, Wales and the east of Northern Ireland, will face yellow weather warnings for rain and wind on Sunday, according to the Met Office.
Gusts of 50-60 mph southerly to southwesterly winds could increase to 70 mph along the coast and areas of high ground further inland, with rain set to accompany the strong winds, making for “poor” weather conditions on the roads.
Bryony Gooch reports:
UK to be hotter than Greece this weekend as Met Office issue weather warning
Thursday 20 February 2025 16:32
,
Alex Croft
Temperatures across the UK will be hotter than Greece and parts of Turkey across this weekend, despite a weather warning issued for heavy rain and wind.
The cold and grey weather which has brought misery for Britons over the last week is set to end, with a strong westerly wind to bring in milder conditions.
This comes as holiday hotspots in the Mediterranean face Storm Coral, with temperatures expected to plummet in some areas to one degrees.
“Temperatures across the UK are to be widely into double digit figures around 12 to 13 degrees,” Jonathan Vautrey, a meteorologist at the Met Office said.
Holly Evans reports:
