Met Éireann has named an intense area of low-pressure, which will pass to the west of Ireland, northern England and Scotland during Friday, Storm Callum. The strongest winds are likely in western Ireland, although North Western parts of the UK can expect severe gales. The main impacts for the UK will be from heavy rain across some western areas on Friday and Saturday. Yellow Met Office Weather Warnings for wind and rain are in force for Friday and Saturday.

Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders, said; “Strong winds at this time of year can increase the rate of leaf fall which can potentially block drains or culverts and, with the heavy rainfall expected over Friday and Saturday, could well heighten the potential for flooding. There is also a risk that the high winds associated with Storm Callum, combined with high tides, may lead to some coastal impacts due to large waves.”

The strongest winds are expected across eastern areas of Northern Ireland during the early hours of Friday morning followed by Scotland from mid-morning onward.

There is a wind warning in place from 3am to midnight on Friday, which covers Northern Ireland and parts of Western Scotland and warns of gusts of 50 to 60 mph in some places, with the potential for gusts of 70 mph around exposed coasts and hills. There is a chance of gusts of 70 to 80 mph in the Western Isles during Friday afternoon and evening.

A Yellow Rain Warning is in place from 6am to midnight on Friday for heavy, slow moving, rain that will affect Cumbria and parts of North West England and Wales. Areas of high ground could see over 60 mm of rain in 12 hours with some exposed locations seeing as much as 100 mm by the end of the day. There is the potential for flooding in these areas.

The zone of heavy rain affecting England and Wales on Friday is expected to move slowly northwards on Saturday, when a further Yellow Weather Warning is in place. The focus of heaviest rainfall will remain across Wales, and move increasingly into parts of Scotland. Again, areas of high ground are expected to be most affected with the potential for a further 50-80 mm of rain quite widely.

Sioned Warrell, Natural Resources Wales Duty Tactical Manager, said: “The current forecasted rain could cause flooding this week, especially in south and west Wales, and we are urging people to prepare themselves.

“Making sure you know what the situation is like where you live is really important. You can check our website or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for any Flood Warnings that may be in place and keep an eye on weather reports and local news for details of any disruption in your area.

“Our teams are doing all they can to reduce the risk for communities, but if there is flooding we want to make sure people are doing all they can to keep themselves safe.”

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