Election day weather as Met Office warns 'Scotland bearing the brunt' of 50mph gales

Ketsuda Phoutinane
·2-min read
BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Students brave high winds and rain on Blackpool promenade as Britain prepares for high winds over the next two days on October 20, 2014 in Blackpool, England. Weather warnings have been by the Met Office for high winds and rain across parts of the country as as the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo reach Britain's coast. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Strong gales will batter the country tomorrow when Scots head to the polls on election day.

Winds are arriving overnight Wednesday, bringing powerful gusts the Met Office warns could hit 50mph. The unsettled weather will continue through the week due to a strong jet stream in the Atlantic.

Much of the UK will remain on the cooler side of the jet, meaning temperatures will be around or just below average. The national forecaster notes winds will pick up in the north, with "Scotland bearing the brunt".

The weather will begin turning fairly windy in the north and west today and continuing overnight. Showers will break out in northern parts of the UK, becoming "heavy and frequent" across Scotland. Shetland will be subject to more persistent rain in particular.

The winds arrive overnight, bringing a blustery day in the north of the UK on Thursday. Continuing with the weather of summer 2024 so far, the gusts will accompanied by showers.

Paul Gundersen, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office and said: "Strong winds are expected on Thursday, with Scotland bearing the brunt. Inland areas in Scotland could see gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour, whilst coastal areas and hills could experience gales with gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour.

"Along with that wind, the west and northwest of Scotland will also see blustery showers, which will perhaps merge into longer spells of rain later. A few showers are also likely across Northern Ireland, Wales and northern England, but southern England should remain dry with sunny spells.

"It will feel cooler in the damp northwest, but temperatures will be nearer average in the south and southwest. That rain is expected to continue in parts of Scotland and perhaps Northern Ireland overnight."

The strong winds hitting parts of Scotland and Northern England will abate on Friday morning. The following afternoon will be breezy and showery.

Looking to the weekend, temperatures are remaining unsettled and cool. More rain is possible in northern Scotland, but most areas will feel breezy.

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