Gales to blast back after early taste of spring
BRITAIN will continue to bask in one of the warmest February spells on record today – but forecasters say that it will not last.
Heavy rain and gales are to lash swathes of the country from the middle of the week as turbulent weather sweeps in from the Atlantic.
Violent 60mph gusts threaten damage to trees and buildings while experts have warned there will be disruption on roads and transport networks.
Powerful coastal winds will whip up huge waves threatening floods in exposed regions.
It follows an unusually mild spell which has been triggered by warm air flooding in from the Caribbean.
Temperatures pushed past the 59F (15C) mark over the weekend with highs of 62.6F likely in parts today.
But the balmy, spring conditions will give way to a line of low pressure systems that will crash into the UK tomorrow night before a more potent storm hits on Thursday.
Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said: “Things will change to being significantly more unsettled with strong winds likely throughout the week. Tuesday night into Wednesday is looking particularly windy especially in the North although it will be breezy everywhere.
“Then there is the potential for a deep low pressure system to develop on Thursday and this could bring quite a stormy period with severe gales in parts. Strong winds are likely to track right across the central part of Britain affecting the south of the country.”