TORRENTIAL RAIN PREDICTED

HEAVY rain is expected to batter Derby this afternoon, forecasters are predicting.

The latest Met Office forecast is predicting prolonged downpours are likely to hit the city between 1pm and 7pm on a day when strong winds are also expected.

There is currently a 90 per cent chance of heavy rain at 1pm, increasing to a 95 per cent chance at 4pm, with another 90 per cent chance of heavy downpours at 7pm, before reverting to lighter showers to end the day.

The Met Office’s outlook from today until Monday reads: “An unsettled spell with heavy rain and strong winds likely through Saturday. Turning showery into

Sunday and Monday, with strong winds easing into the start of the week.”

The predicted upcoming wet and windy weekend could see the Met Office naming its first storm of the season. If the weekend’s low-pressure storm carries on gathering strength as some predict it will, it is possible it could trigger an amber or red warning - which are the requirements of a storm being named by the Met Office. Early predictions for the storm hint at gust speeds of up to 70mph in some parts of the country.

The long range forecast is predicting that temperatures will be below average for the first half of October.

■■Weather map, P20