UK weather – live: Storm Elin named as Met Office warns of flooding and heavy rain

Dozens of weather warnings have been issued across the UK and Ireland as heavy rain and windy conditions threaten to disrupt the start of the weekend.

Meanwhile, Storm Elin will bring gale force winds to parts of Ireland as Met Eireann issued a range of orange warnings for wind.

The Met Office has warned that homes and businesses may experience flooding as up to 80mm of rain falls in some parts of the UK.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said a band of wind and rain will move from the south-west of the UK towards the north-east on Saturday, “bringing with it heavy rain for much of the country”.

He said: “By the afternoon most of the heavy wind and rain will have passed and it will just be showers for southern areas.

“We will also be seeing some quite strong winds in Wales, the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland, particularly coastal communities around the Irish Sea.

“We’re in for a wet and windy weekend.”

The unsettled weather will continue into Sunday and next week, with a chance of further weather warnings.

Football games postponed because of waterlogged pitches

16:57 , Holly Evans

Saturday’s League Two games at Sutton United, Bradford City, Mansfield, Forest Green have been postponed because of waterlogged pitches.

Mansfield’s match against MK Dons was called off following an inspection by a local referee.

Persistent torrential rain has caused parts of the pitch to be covered all week.

Latest pictures from Ireland

15:51 , Holly Evans

Mapped: Met Office’s latest severe weather warnings as UK hit by heavy rain

15:01 , Holly Evans

The UK is bracing for strong winds and more heavy rain this weekend, with the Met Office issuing new weather warnings across most of the country.

Areas near the Irish Sea are being warned they could face gusts of up to 70mph, with sustained windspeeds between 45 and 55mph forecast for the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland.

Part of the UK may also experience flooding with as much as 80mm of rain expected, the forecaster said, as yellow weather warnings were issued for Dorset and Devon, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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Mapped: Met Office’s latest severe weather warnings

Met Office meteorologist warns of 70mph winds and 40mm rain

14:00 , Holly Evans

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “Wet and windy weather is the main theme of the forecast this weekend, though there will be some drier interludes in the south on Saturday afternoon.

“Winds and rain could be disruptive at times, which has resulted in the issuing of weather warnings for both wind and rain.

“Winds could peak around 70mph on exposed Irish Sea coasts, with gusts of around 45-55mph likely quite widely in England and Wales. A further 20-30mm of rain could fall over parts of Northern Ireland, northwest England and into southwest and central Scotland, with 40mm over some high ground.”

Storm Fergus named as second bout of bad weather to arrive on Sunday

13:25 , Holly Evans

A second weather system has been named as Storm Fergus by the Irish forecaster, which is due to sweep across the UK on Sunday. The Met Office has warned it could reintroduce some gusty winds, especially in western areas, alongside further rainfall.

The most impactful winds of the storm are expected to hit Ireland.

Northern Ireland to face rain and flooding

12:50 , Holly Evans

In Northern Ireland, the UK Met Office released a yellow warning for rain for Antrim, Down, Tyrone and Londonderry.

Yellow warnings for rain indicate heavy rain will give a risk of localised flooding and some travel disruption on Saturday.

The Met Office also warns that strong winds may lead to some transport disruption as spray and flooding on roads may make journey times longer in affected areas.

Flooding of a few homes and businesses is also possible, along with some interruption to power supplies and other services.

Another yellow warning issued for central part of Scotland

11:50 , Holly Evans

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for southern and central parts of Scotland, which is due to last until 10pm on Saturday.

Storm Elin to affect Dublin, Tipperary and Donegal

11:21 , Holly Evans

Storm Elin will bring gale force winds to parts of Ireland as Met Eireann issued a range of weather warnings.

Counties Dublin, Wicklow and Donegal have been served orange warnings for wind.

It is predicted that Storm Elin will generate gale force west to north-west winds and severe gusts, causing disruption and travelling difficulties on Saturday.

Yellow wind warnings have also been issued for Clare, Tipperary, Cavan, and Monaghan.

UK and Ireland brace for wet and windy conditions

11:06 , Holly Evans

The winter allowances and support can you claim in cold weather

10:50 , Holly Evans

As the temperature drops, households up and down the UK are turning on their heating for the first time - but for many it will bring further financial hardship during the cost-of-living crisis.

As inflation remains high, driven by food and fuel prices, people on already-stretched household budgets are left wondering how they will pay to keep their home warm over the winter months.

They will be helped by the fall in the energy price cap on October 1, which reduced the typical household bill to £1,923, compared to £2,074 previously - however, this is still more than 50 per cent higher than pre-crisis level and will do little to help many pay their bills.

Read the full article here

The winter allowances and support can you claim in cold weather

Storm Elin named as northern Ireland to see rain and flooding

10:20 , Holly Evans

Irish Sea coast areas could get 70mph winds, while gusts of up to 55mph are possible in the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland, the Met Office said.

The weather system has now been named Storm Elin by the Irish Meteorological Service, Met Eireann.

The Met Office is forecasting that Elin will sweep across much of Northern Ireland and northern England on Saturday, with large swathes of Scotland also in its path.

Yellow alerts for Dorset Devon and Scotland issued

10:00 , Holly Evans

A yellow alert for rain covering areas of Dorset and Devon is in place until 9am on Saturday, with the Met Office warning a spell of heavy rainfall could affect travel and create possible flooding.

Yellow alerts for rain and wind have also been issued for southern Scotland and Northern Ireland, while a separate wind alert covering parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England comes into force at 9am on Saturday.

An area stretching from Sheffield to Carlisle is under a yellow rain warning between 8am on Saturday and 3am on Sunday, with the Met Office warning two separate bands of heavy rain are forecast to hit the region in the morning and evening.

Much of Ireland is also under wind warnings on Saturday with Met Eireann cautioning severe gusts could cause disruption and travel difficulties.

Map showing weather warnings across UK

09:35 , Holly Evans

‘Wet and windy weekend ahead’, says forecaster

09:15 , Holly Evans

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said a band of heavy wind and rain will move from the south-west of the UK towards the north-east on Saturday, “bringing with it heavy rain for much of the country”.

He said: “By the afternoon most of the heavy wind and rain will have passed and it will just be showers for southern areas.

“We will also be seeing some quite strong winds in Wales, the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland, particularly coastal communities around the Irish Sea.

“We’re in for a wet and windy weekend.”

Met Office issue yellow weather warnings across north-west England

08:50 , Holly Evans

The Met Office has issued further yellow weather warnings to cover the north-west of England, which is set to be hit by heavy rain and winds.

The warning remains in place until 3am on Sunday.

Met Office issues new flood warnings as Britain braces heavy downpour

08:47 , Holly Evans

The UK is bracing for strong winds and more heavy rain this weekend, with the Met Office issuing new weather warnings across most of the country.

Areas near the Irish Sea are being warned they could face gusts of up to 70mph, with sustained windspeeds between 45 and 55mph forecast for the Midlands, northern England and Northern Ireland.

Part of the UK may also experience flooding with as much as 80mm of rain expected, the forecaster said, as yellow weather warnings were issued for Dorset and Devon, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Read the full article here

Met Office issues new flood warnings as UK braces for heavy downpours

Welcome to our live blog

08:45 , Holly Evans

Welcome to our live coverage as we bring you all the latest weather updates over the weekend, as heavy wind and rain are set to batter parts of the UK.