Yellow wind warning as stormy weather brings heavy rain and gales to much of UK

The Met Office has issued a Yellow wind warning covering most of England and all of Wales as a low-pressure system moves in from the Atlantic, bringing strong winds and heavy rain from Sunday evening into Monday.

The warning is valid from 8 p.m. Sunday until 6 p.m. Monday. Coastal gales are likely to develop around southern and western shores, and forecasters said gusts of 45 to 55 mph are expected inland, with 60 to 70 mph possible around coasts and on hills. Travel disruption and power cuts are possible and there is an increased risk of branches or small trees falling as many trees remain in full leaf.

Sunday will start dry for most areas, but heavy outbreaks of rain are expected to spread in from the west during the day, reaching eastern England and central Scotland by late afternoon. Forecasters say 10 to 30 mm of rain is likely widely, with some western hills seeing around 70 mm, raising the risk of surface water flooding and difficult driving conditions.

While the Met Office said it is "not expecting to name the storm" at present, storm naming is coordinated with Ireland's Met Éireann and the Netherlands' KNMI. A storm receives a name if it is forecast to cause medium or high impacts; were this system to be named, the first name on this season's list would be "Amy."

Meteorologists point to a standard seasonal shift in the jet stream as a driver of the unsettled pattern. As autumn progresses the jet stream typically moves south and strengthens in September, allowing more low-pressure systems to track in from the Atlantic. Several forecasting models indicate an increased chance of a wetter-than-average spell through to November, though forecasters emphasise that seasonal outlooks indicate likely trends rather than specific conditions.

Parts of the UK have already recorded above-average rainfall for September. Forecasters noted that the exceptional conditions of September 2024 — the wettest on record for 10 English counties, which saw more than three times their expected monthly rainfall and widespread flooding — are not expected to be repeated, but vigilance is advised given the remaining leaf cover on trees and the potential for locally severe showers.

Local authorities, transport operators and electricity companies typically prepare for such warnings, and the Met Office recommends people check the latest forecasts and heed any local travel advice as the system approaches. The warning level for this event remains at yellow, the Met Office's lowest tier, but impacts such as travel disruption, fallen trees and short-term flooding remain possible.