The warning arrives as a wider spell of unsettled weather moves across the United Kingdom, bringing a mix of rain and wind through the weekend. While the system is expected to weaken as it travels, the Met Office has cautioned that coastal communities in particular should prepare for disruption.
Yellow Warning in Force across the South West and South East
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind covering the south west and parts of the south east, in place from 9am to 7pm on Saturday. According to the forecaster, the warning reflects the potential for power outages and travel disruption as the winds push inland.
Strong winds are expected to reach western Cornwall during Saturday morning before moving eastwards. The Met Office said the gusts would track across Cornwall, English Channel coastal districts and the Isle of Wight, reaching Sussex by mid-afternoon, after which the winds would begin to ease from the west.
Forecasters said gusts of 45 to 50mph are likely widely along coasts and more generally across Cornwall, with a few exposed areas potentially seeing up to 55mph. People in coastal areas have been advised to be cautious of large waves caused by the strong winds.
According to the Met Office, the windy conditions follow an earlier wet and windy spell overnight. “A second spell of strong southwest to westerly winds is expected to arrive across western Cornwall during Saturday morning,” the forecaster said, adding that the winds would steadily move eastwards before easing.
The disruption has already affected at least one event. Organisers at the Royal Cornwall Show said they had been forced to cancel the event’s final day due to the winds, describing the decision as one taken with “great regret” following a “thorough assessment of forecast weather conditions”. The Met Office said some disruption to weekend activities and events was possible, alongside a risk of power outages and some low-level travel disruption.
Changeable Conditions Expected to Continue into Next Week
The weekend’s weather forms part of a broader picture of instability, as a band of low pressure moves across the UK bringing rain and winds. The Met Office said the overall outlook remained changeable, with spells of rain interspersed with drier and brighter periods.
According to Met Office Chief Meteorologist Chris Bulmer, the coming days would bring a mix of sunshine and showers for many. “Into the weekend, a more organised area of rain and stronger winds will move across the UK, although this system is likely to weaken as it does so,” he said.
Bulmer added that while heavier rain and gusty conditions were possible at times, the prevailing theme remained one of variable weather, with further rain or showers broken up by some drier and brighter spells.
The Met Office forecast pointed to cloudy conditions for most areas on Saturday, with outbreaks of rain that were locally heavy at first. Conditions were expected to become brighter from the west, with showers in the south and coastal gales in the south west.
Overnight, showers were forecast to ease as rain cleared to the north east, turning drier with clear spells developing and winds easing. The forecaster noted that wetter and windier conditions were likely to return in the west through the early hours.
For Sunday, the Met Office anticipated hazy sunshine in the south and south east, with rain in the west that was sometimes heavy with thunder, pushing south eastwards. It would remain windy around coasts, cool in the west and warmer in the east.
Looking towards Monday to Wednesday, the forecaster expected showers and longer spells of rain, with drier and brighter interludes at times. Temperatures were forecast to be around average for this point in June, alongside some milder nights.
