A changeable week of weather is expected across the UK, with spells of rain and strong winds followed by a transition to cooler, fresher conditions.
Temperatures will initially remain above average by day, although the middle of the week will also bring some chilly nights.
A mixed and blustery Tuesday
Tuesday begins with a band of cloud and rain moving across the country. The rain will be heavy at times across northern England and southern and eastern Scotland, while conditions further south will be more showery. Blustery winds are also expected, particularly over hills and mountains, but the main area of rain should clear relatively quickly.
Behind the rain, showers will move into Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and the far north of Wales. Some could be heavy, bringing a risk of hail and a small chance of thunder. The showers are likely to remain frequent across Scotland, but Northern Ireland may see an improvement later in the day. Much of England and Wales should also enjoy a fairly pleasant afternoon, with sunny spells and only a few residual showers.
It will be notably mild in places, with temperatures reaching between 19 and 22°C from eastern Wales into eastern England. Temperatures will be nearer the mid-teens across southern and central Scotland and Northern Ireland, but the northwest of Scotland may struggle to reach 13 or 14°C.
A deepening area of low pressure will bring a spell of gales to the northwest of the UK on Wednesday 🍂 Severe gales and gusts of over 70 mph are possible in the far northwest of Scotland👀 https://t.co/OmbUpL6wlM
— Met Office (@metoffice) October 12, 2026
Strong winds arriving on Wednesday
Tuesday night will turn chilly, with temperatures falling into single figures across many areas. Attention then turns west as a new weather system approaches, bringing strengthening winds and outbreaks of rain during Wednesday.
Gales are expected in the northwest, with the strongest winds likely around the middle of the day. Gusts could reach 50 to 60mph, and perhaps as high as 70mph across the far northwest. A Yellow severe weather warning for wind has been issued. Elsewhere, it will be windy across central and northern areas and gusty over exposed hills and mountains.
There will be plenty of cloud across northern and western areas during Wednesday morning, with some rain in the north of Scotland. Much of England and Wales should remain dry and bright for much of the day, although winds will strengthen from the west. Rain will reach the Western Isles around early afternoon before spreading into Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Eastern England should hold on to some late sunshine, with temperatures reaching 18 to 20°C.
A north-south contrast on Thursday
The band of rain will move slowly southwards through Wednesday night and Thursday. Northern Ireland and northern England can expect wet weather during the morning, with some heavier downpours possible. Showers will follow across Scotland, accompanied by a blustery breeze and noticeably fresher air.
The rain will gradually extend into the far north of England, the Isle of Man, Anglesey and west Wales. This will create a striking temperature contrast: areas south of the front could still reach 20 or 21°C, while temperatures to its north may be limited to 12 or 13°C. Strong winds and heavy bursts of rain are possible along the front itself.
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Fresher air spreads south on Friday
During Thursday evening, the front will continue moving south, taking the warm air with it. Friday may therefore begin with rain across the East Midlands, East Anglia, southeast England and other eastern counties, but this should gradually clear away.
Sunny spells will develop behind the rain, although showers will continue to feed into northern and western areas on a cooler north-westerly wind. Temperatures could be around six degrees lower across parts of England and Wales compared with earlier in the week. Scotland and Northern Ireland will also have a fresh and showery day, with highs of around 12 or 13°C.
Drier weather for the weekend
High pressure is expected to drift in from the west as the weekend begins, bringing another change in weather type. While some rain and showers will remain possible initially, there should also be sunny spells and an increasing prospect of drier conditions as the weekend progresses. After an unusually warm start to the week in places, it will feel distinctly fresher by the end.
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