A government-chaired taskforce is due to meet this week to assess the country's readiness for flooding, with preparations for the winter flood season continuing after a summer of record temperatures and widespread drought1. Officials have warned of a heightened potential for wet, windy and stormy weather, alongside flooding, this autumn1. The announcement comes as the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds in parts of Scotland1.
The wind warning covers the Highlands and Eilean Siar, where gusts of up to 70mph are expected in exposed coastal and hilly areas1. It comes into force at 10am tomorrow and remains in place until 7pm1. Strong south to south-westerly winds are expected to bring gusts of 50mph to 60mph across much of the affected region, with the strongest winds forecast during the late morning and early afternoon1. The Met Office said delays were likely on roads, with high-sided vehicles particularly vulnerable on exposed routes and bridges; some bus and train services could also be affected, while ferry and air passengers may face longer journeys or disruption, and short-term power cuts and interruptions to other services are possible1. Winds are expected to ease from the west during the late afternoon and early evening1.
Much of the rest of the UK is forecast to be unusually mild for the time of year. The Met Office has forecast temperatures of around 19C in London tomorrow, while Glasgow and Belfast could see highs of 17C, and overnight temperatures across England and Wales are expected to remain around 16C1. Warmer spells are expected to reach 21C in some locations on Thursday1. The typical October daytime average is around 12C to 16C1. The Met Office said there is no indication that Hurricane Simon, which is currently affecting parts of the US, will have any impact on UK weather1.
"preparations for the winter flood season are continuing, with a government-chaired taskforce due to meet this week to assess the country's readiness for flooding"
The Environment Agency has urged households to check their flood risk, sign up for flood alerts and prepare a plan in case of an emergency1. The agency's flood warnings for England are set out in the guide to flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings, and households can read more on checking risk and preparing in the flooding guide.
Why it matters for households
The wind warning affects households in the Highlands and Eilean Siar from 10am tomorrow until 7pm, with road delays, possible disruption to bus, train, ferry and air travel, and possible short-term power cuts1. The wider flood readiness assessment covers the coming winter season across the country, following a summer of record temperatures and widespread drought1. The Environment Agency's advice to households is to check their flood risk, sign up for flood alerts and prepare a plan in case of an emergency1. The flooding hub sets out the site's guides on preparing for and recovering from flooding.
What happens next
The government-chaired taskforce is due to meet this week1. The yellow wind warning runs from 10am tomorrow until 7pm, with winds expected to ease from the west during the late afternoon and early evening1. Warmer spells are expected to reach 21C in some locations on Thursday, before a band of rain moves into south-eastern England1. No further dates for the taskforce's work have been reported1.
