Lockdown Britons face more hardship this week as “heavy storms” and downpours are set to hit the south east.
Storm Barbara is due to hit the UK on Wednesday after making its way through southern Europe and could bring wind and rain – a change from recent conditions, which were mostly dry and cloudy.
While a slight rise in temperature is expected, meteorologists are watching the storm’s development, bringing adverse weather to parts of Portugal and Spain on Tuesday.
Whilst no major impact is expected for the UK, there could be some downpours on Wednesday for those in the south east and possibly central England.
A Met Office spokesman said: “The evolution of this storm system is still relatively uncertain and therefore, although not currently expected, there is still a possibility of severe storms hitting the far south east of England at this time. As such, we are closely monitoring the development of the storm.’
Meanwhile, there are two yellow severe weather warnings across the UK, with heavy showers set to hit across the country.
A rain warning is in place for Northern Ireland, where 20-30mm of rain is expected, with some hills and mountains likely to see 40-60mm of rain.
There is a small risk of seeing up to 80mm or more in some locations, particularly in the Morne Mountains.
Rain was seen in Paisley High Street today, pictured, and downpours are expected to hit Britain for the rest of the month
Lockdown Brits face more hardship this week as wind and rain are forecast for the coming days – a change from recent weather, which was mostly dry and cloudy (pictured: a calm day in Edinburgh on Monday).
A chart from the Met Office shows how Storm Barbara will make its way through Europe on Tuesday before expected to hit the UK on Wednesday
A chart from the Met Office shows Storm Barbara expected to bring wind and rain to parts of Spain and Portugal later this week
The other warning is for parts of Scotland, including the Central Belt, where 50-75mm of rain is expected over hills and mountains.
However, up to 75-100mm of precipitation could fall in some isolated spots, most likely in Argyll.
Frank Saunders, Met Office Chief Meteorologist, said: “Tomorrow (Tuesday) a low pressure system separate from Storm Barbara will cross Ireland and Northern Ireland, blanketing some exposed parts of the west and south-west of the UK with storm or even severe squalls.
“As we look to the remainder of the week, we expect rain or showers for many areas on Wednesday, potentially heavy and blustery in the south east.
“It will be calmer on Thursday but more unsettled from Friday as wet and windy weather moves in from the west.”
The Met Office also dismissed speculation of widespread snow, insisting there was no indication such conditions would materialize for the remainder of the month.
It comes after weary Britons were warned the impending onslaught of wind and rain could continue into late October.
Strong winds and rain are set to batter parts of the UK in the coming days, with a “turbulent” weather week ahead.
A canal boat passes Duke’s Lock Cottage in Wolvercote, Oxford on a calm Monday day and Storm Barbara is set to strike later this week
Brits, weary of renewed coronavirus lockdown restrictions, are made even unhappier by an onslaught of wind and rain that could continue into late October
Gusts of 40mph are expected over the Irish Sea while up to 60mm of rain can fall, rising to 80mm in mountainous areas.
Luke Miall, a weather forecaster at the Met Office, said: “Well we have a turbulent weather week ahead, it’s starting to look wetter and windier.
“From Tuesday, rain will be pushing towards Wales and south-west England, with most of the UK seeing rain at some point.
“Winds will be much stronger on Tuesday with heavier showers across Northern Ireland and Scotland.”
He said this was due to high pressure and air intake from the Mediterranean Sea.
Wednesday is forecast to be the warmest day next week, with temperatures reaching 64.4°F (18°C) in some areas.
Mr Miall added: “Unlike last week when the weather was fairly static, this week will be changeable with rain having the greatest impact.
“It’s pretty typical for the time of year.”
Cars were left submerged in Essex after high water inundated coastal roads in Tollesbury on Sunday.
Much of Essex’s north coast – including areas such as Clacton-on-Sea, Brightlingsea, Mersea Island, Colchester, Maldon and Tollesbury – was placed under a government flood alert earlier in the day.
The alert was in effect between 12.30pm and 2.30pm, warning that high tides would cause flooding on coastal roads.
The warning read: “Due to spring tides, tides are expected to be higher than usual.
‘Clacton Promenade, Lee-over-Sands and Brightlingsea Sea Front can see some waves overflow and spray.
“The Strood on Mersea Island, the Coast Road and car parks at the front of West Mersea, and the Hythe and promenade at Maldon can all be flooded.”
Gusts of 40mph are expected over the Irish Sea while up to 60mm of rain can fall, rising to 80mm in mountainous areas. Pictured: The Stormont estate in Northern Ireland on Sunday
Luke Miall, a weather forecaster at the Met Office, said: “Well we’re having a turbulent weather week ahead, it’s starting to look wetter and windier.” Pictured: Autumn colors reflect off a lake in Horsmonden, Kent, on Sunday
Mr Miall added: “Unlike this week, when the weather has been fairly static, next week will be changeable, with rain likely to have the greatest impact.” Pictured: Bedgebury Pinetum in south-east London on Sunday
The new wet weather could mark the start of unpleasant weather as winter approaches. Pictured: People walking in St James’s Park, central London, on Sunday
Photographs taken at Tollesbury show the scene during high tide with cars stranded and paths covered by water.
The coldest October on record was in 1917, with an average temperature of just 6.6°C (44°F) – while the coldest October day on record was -11 on 28 October 1948 at Dalwinnine in the Highlands, was 7°C (10.9°F).
Bookmaker Coral has now cut the odds for this month to beat that record from 6-4 to 4-5 and made it 1-2 for this month’s snowfall in the UK while it is now 4-9 for that one Winter will be the coldest on record.
A company spokesman said: “Winter will arrive early this year and with temperatures dropping rapidly over the next few days, the chances of this month ending as the coldest October on record have dropped significantly.”
Last week it emerged that earlier this month Britain had its wettest day on record – with enough rainfall to fill Loch Ness.
October 3 brought an average of 31.7 mm (1.25 inches) nationwide, the most since records began 129 years ago.
The day of downpours came hours after Storm Alex hit the UK with 90mph gales. It beat the previous record of 29.8 mm (1.17 in) on August 25, 1986.
