Storm Erik to bring gales and rain... but at least we’ll be slightly warmer!

AFTER weeks of bitter cold, it’s time to have your raincoat ready as Storm Erik looks set to thrash Britain with wet and windy weather through the weekend.

Soggy conditions are expected to last through this morning and early afternoon as heavy rain moves east, but brighter spells are expected in England and Wales later on. The dismal weather follows downpours and gales of up to 79mph in southern England yesterday.

Storm Erik, this winter’s fifth named storm, is forecast to bring the worst to Scotland and Northern Ireland between 9am today and 3pm tomorrow.

Up to two inches of rain is expected on high ground, while winds could reach 70mph, the Met Office has warned. The damp conditions could bring highs of 12C across areas of England and Wales today, however – a minor improvement on the temperatures seen in the recent cold snap.