Odds cut on this being the wettest October ever

BOOKIES have cut the odds on this month being the wettest October on record.

The UK is on course for an unsettled spell as the month begins, with heavy rain and strong to gale-force winds.

People are urged to keep an eye on the forecast as the weather is being influenced by what is left of tropical systems Lee and Maria in the Atlantic.

Bookmaker Coral yesterday cut the odds on it being the wettest October on record to 2-1 from 4-1 following a flurry of bets during the morning.

The firm is also offering 5-2 for there to be snowfall in October, with spokesman John Hill saying: “Punters are expecting a damp outlook ahead over the next few weeks, as we have seen a flurry of bets for this month to be the wettest October on record.

“With the tail ends of hurricanes Lee and Maria still being felt, we have also cut the odds on the wind speed to reach 100mph over the next seven days.”

A yellow national severe weather warning for wind has been issued covering Scotland, parts of northern England and parts of Northern Ireland for today, as strong west or north-westerly winds may bring some disruption.

Laura Paterson, operational chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said the remnants of Lee and Maria were affecting weather systems hitting the UK.

“The remnants of Maria may bring some rain across southern parts of the UK later today,” she added.

The Met Office added that once these areas of low pressure clear away eastwards, many places will see some periods of dry, bright weather.