UK bracing itself for heavy wind and rain from ex-Hurricane Lorenzo

3 October 2019, 09:56

Heavy winds are set to hit parts of the UK and Ireland
Heavy winds are set to hit parts of the UK and Ireland. Picture: Windy.com
Ewan Quayle

By Ewan Quayle

Large parts of the UK and Ireland are set to be lashed by winds up to 80mph as the remnants of Hurricane Lorenzo close in.

Yellow weather alerts have been put in place for most of Northern Ireland on Thursday and South West England on Friday, as winds of up to 80mph are expected on the island.

The alert on Thursday is in place from 3pm to 10pm, with the Met Office suggesting disruption to travel and possible power outages across Northern Ireland.

On Friday the gales will reach parts of South West England and South Wales, with yellow weather warnings in across most of Devon and Cornwall from 4am to 4pm.

There was widespread flooding across England and Wales on Tuesday
There was widespread flooding across England and Wales on Tuesday. Picture: PA Images

Met Office figures show that average rainfall in the UK was 27% above average for September, with almost 3cm more than the average of that month.

Despite flash flooding across the country earlier this week, the Environment Agency declared a drought in Hertfordshire and north London on Tuesday.

Rain is also forecast in many parts of England and Wales on Friday, according to the Met Office, but the weather should improve by the weekend.