Brace Yourself, UK: 65mph Winds Are Coming Right After the Big Freeze Ends
As the UK prepares to bid farewell to the bone-chilling cold snap that has gripped the nation for weeks, a new challenge is brewing on the horizon. Weather forecasts reveal that powerful winds, reaching speeds of up to 65mph, are set to sweep across the country, bringing several days of stormy conditions.
Weather maps from WXCHARTS, using data from MetDesk, paint a vivid picture of the turbulent days ahead. The unsettled period is expected to begin on the evening of January 24 and last until the early hours of January 29. During this time, areas across Scotland, Wales, and western England will bear the brunt of the fierce gusts, with speeds ranging from 40mph to a staggering 65mph.
The storm’s fury will be most pronounced along the west coast of Scotland, England, and Wales, where the winds are expected to gather strength before sweeping eastward across the nation. By January 27, powerful gusts will have engulfed much of England, from County Durham in the north to Devon in the southwest.
The storm is forecast to peak on January 29, as weather maps turn ominously purple—a color denoting the most intense winds. Localized regions in Scotland, including Edinburgh and Dumfries, along with the Pennines and parts of County Durham, are set to face the most punishing conditions, with gusts reaching the upper limit of 65mph.
This turbulent weather arrives on the heels of a bitter cold snap that saw temperatures plunge to as low as -18°C in the early weeks of January. However, as the cold begins to ease and milder temperatures settle in, the trade-off comes in the form of these formidable winds.
The Met Office’s long-range forecast for January 18-27 sheds light on the evolving weather patterns. It notes: “High pressure will lie close to the southeast of the UK initially, with generally settled conditions across many parts. A weakening frontal system looks like it will edge east across the UK during Sunday and Monday, before high pressure briefly builds back in from the west in its wake. Low pressure then seems likely to increasingly influence the UK weather later in the period, with some rain or showers and windier conditions affecting most if not all parts.”
While temperatures are expected to climb slightly above average, the UK will need to brace for frost and fog under clearer skies and the relentless winds that mark the closing days of January.