Met Office warns 70mph wind will hit in DAYS after snow and ice sparked mayhem on roads – before temps set to soar

THE Met Office has warned 70mph winds will hit in just days after snow and ice sparked mayhem on roads.

Temperatures are set to rise to 16C on Friday in the South East – making it warmer than usual for the time of year.

MET OFFICE

MET OFFICE

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Yellow alerts for strong winds and heavy rain have been issued across western parts of the UK.

And locals can expect “potential travel disruption, dangerous conditions near the coast, and power cuts for some”, The Met Office said.

Wind gusts are expected to be between 60 – 70mph by the coast and 45 to 55mph inland.

Eastern parts of Northern Ireland will be hit from 6am through to 10am on Friday.

While parts of Scotland and parts of Wales can expect such conditions from 8am through to 3pm.

South East areas of England can expect direr conditions for longer but a blustery, wet day is predicted for those elsewhere.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: “The weather will be turning milder for much of the country from Thursday, but this transition heralds the start of some potentially more impactful wind and rain.

“While Thursday will see blustery winds and rain for many, it’s Friday when we could see more impacts, with warnings issued for wind and rain.

“On Friday, south and west Wales, southwest Scotland and eastern parts of Northern Ireland will see the strongest winds, possibly around 70mph on exposed coasts and around 60mph more widely within the warning areas.

“Rain is an additional hazard, with 30-40mm likely in parts of Scotland over a six-hour period, and up to around 70mm possible over higher ground within the warning areas.”

Saturday is expected to be a drier day across the country, but those in the South East may see the remnants of Friday’s rain drifting through during the day.

More rain and wind is expected from Sunday, according to the Met Office.

Mr Silverstone said: “The underlying factor in the shift in the UK’s weather is our transition from a cold easterly regime to more of a westerly regime.

“While this pushes away the colder air that has been affecting us, it also reintroduces Atlantic weather systems and the potential for areas of low pressure to influence the UK’s weather.

“While Saturday should provide respite for many, Sunday will see more wet and windy weather sweep east across the UK.

“There’s a potential for further warnings on Sunday as details are firmed up in the coming days.”

The yellow warning for strong winds will be in force on Friday from 6am to 10am for eastern parts of Northern Ireland, and from 8am until 3pm for south-west Scotland and parts of Wales.

A yellow warning for rain comes into force on the same day from 6am until 6pm for south-west and north-east Scotland, with the forecaster warning travel disruption, power cuts, and flooding are “likely”.