Drivers face 'difficult' journeys to and from work on Friday as 75mph winds threaten to disrupt travel, say forecasters.
A knock-on effect from Hurricane Ian on the cross-Atlantic jet stream is expected to bring adverse weather to the UK today, though this will not be anywhere near as severe as this week's devastating US storm.
Heavy rain and high winds between 60 and 75 miles per hour are forecast for the north west of the country, with the Scottish Western Isles likely to be worst affected.
Rod Dennis, a spokesman for the RAC, has advised people to be prepared for difficult road conditions, commenting that motorists "need to make sure they’re not caught off guard when this weather system sweeps in".
Other modes of transport will also feel the force of the weather with warnings for rain and wind applied by the Met Office for large parts of Scotland, including Glasgow and the Shetland Islands.
This means bus and train services in these areas will be "probably affected" with journey times taking longer, while spray and flooding may also impact roads.
Winds could also disrupt ferry services, according to the agency.
Giving his forecast for the next 24 hours, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Paul Gundersen said: “A spell of strong winds and heavy rain will push southeast throughout the day. The strongest winds are likely to be in northern Scotland, with gusts of 65 to 70 mph in coastal parts and perhaps 75 mph around the Northern Isles.
“As well as strong winds a band of heavy rain will affect many areas of the country, however rainfall totals are expected to build in western parts of Scotland, up to 40mm in one or two places. With potentially gale force winds in these areas as well, we are expecting some disruption to travel”
UK weather forecast:
Wet and windy weather moving southeast across the UK Friday
Today:
Heavy rain and strong winds with coastal gales, locally severe in the north, moving southeastwards across the UK on Friday. Still bright for much of the day in the southeast ahead of this. Blustery showers following to the northwest later.
Tonight:
Rain clearing the southeast overnight. Blustery showers feeding into western parts throughout but becoming drier in the east with winds easing here.
Saturday:
Blustery showers continuing in the west. Eastern parts more sheltered but still a few showers developing here by day. Still windy but less so than on Friday.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Rain should clear the south Sunday evening. Showers elsewhere dying out to leave a mainly fine day Monday. Further rain spreads southeast Tuesday. Becoming windy in the northwest.
