UK braces for the arrival of Storm Amy, as the Met Office warns of gale-force winds, persistent rain, and disruption. The first named storm of the season is being fuelled by the remnants of two Atlantic hurricanes.
Patchy fog and yellow weather warnings marked the beginning of the UK’s unsettled weather this week, with conditions forecast to worsen considerably. Storm Amy, expected to hit on Friday, is set to bring gusts of up to 80mph in exposed coastal areas and widespread rain across much of northern Britain.
While the impact will vary by region, the Met Office has stressed that travel delays, power outages and minor structural damage are all possible. Strong winds and heavy rainfall are anticipated to extend from Scotland to the Midlands, making this the most significant weather event of the autumn season so far.
Warnings Already in Place as Amy Nears
Yellow weather alerts have been issued for several parts of the UK, beginning Thursday morning. Dense fog in the East Midlands, London, and South West England prompted early disruption, with visibility reduced in some areas, according to the Met Office. The advisory was lifted later in the morning but signalled the start of a turbulent weather pattern.
In Scotland, warnings for heavy rain were issued for regions including Central, Tayside, Fife, and Strathclyde, in effect from Thursday evening. Localised flooding and hazardous travel conditions are likely as saturated ground struggles to absorb the persistent rainfall.
The Met Office confirmed that Storm Amy’s development is being driven by an accelerated jet stream, influenced by the remnants of Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda. This dynamic atmospheric interaction has increased the likelihood of rapid storm intensification, a pattern meteorologists continue to monitor closely.
Storm Amy to Hit With High Winds and Persistent Rain
Storm Amy, the UK’s first named storm of the autumn season, is forecast to arrive Friday afternoon, bringing wind speeds of 50–60mph inland and up to 80mph along coasts and elevated areas. According to Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tom Crabtree, there remains “some uncertainty about the exact track Storm Amy will take”, but the likelihood of gale-force winds across northern and western parts of the UK is high.
The strongest winds are expected to coincide with intense rainfall, particularly affecting Scotland and northern England. These conditions may result in fallen trees, power disruptions, and dangerous driving conditions—especially in exposed areas.
The weekend outlook suggests unsettled conditions will persist into Saturday, with blustery showers and coastal gales. By Sunday, the winds are forecast to gradually ease, with sunshine and intermittent showers returning to much of the country. The transition into the new working week is expected to be calmer but still seasonally cool.
