Met Office warns 'different beast' will hit UK after Storm Éowyn
The Met Office has said a 'different beast' will bring further wet and windy weather to the UK after Storm Éowyn passes this weekend.
The fifth named storm of the season is set to bring some of the strongest winds of the winter so far from Thursday evening. The weather system, which is currently forming over the Atlantic, is set to strengthen as it approaches UK shores.
Every area of the UK is covered by at least one weather warning on Friday as the storm brings strong winds, rainfall and some heavy snow and 'blizzard conditions' to some areas. In the worst affected places, likely to be coastal regions in the north west of the country, wind gusts could exceed 90mph.
READ MORE: Urgent 'do not travel' warning issued as Storm Éowyn to bring 'danger to life' gale-force winds
From Saturday, Storm Éowyn is set to weaken as it clears to the northeast of the UK. The Met Office predicts Saturday will still be a breezy day for much of the UK, with strong winds persisting in the north, however it will be drier for many. Showers are likely to replace the persistent rainfall of the previous day, while some wintry showers could still occur over higher ground.
But from Sunday, another area of low pressure is set to influence the UK's weather. The new weather system will initially impact the west, before spreading further east and bringing further wind and rain from Sunday afternoon and into the start of next week.
The Met Office warned further weather warnings could be issued as the forecast becomes clearer.
In the Met Office's latest 10-day trend forecast, meteorologist Aidan McGivern said this second area of low pressure will be a 'different beast' compared to Storm Éowyn, but it is likely to bring "another spell of wet and then windy weather to many parts of the UK".
He said Sunday will be a "dry, fine day for many" before further wind and rain moves in by the end of the afternoon.
He explained: "This low is a different beast compared with Storm Éowyn. It's not likely to directly cross the UK. It's likely to sit towards the west as a more mature feature." However, he said "strong winds and heavy rain" could still cause some issues especially if heavy rain falls "on top of saturated ground".
While the main impact of Storm Éowyn will be from strong winds, Mr McGivern said "it doesn't look like winds are going to be quite as potent" with the second weather system moving in. But, he said, the low will lead to "more blustery weather throughout Sunday into Monday and potentially beyond that as well".
Looking further ahead to Tuesday, he said low pressure remains sitting to the west and north west of the UK, which means it is likely to be "very unsettled" but "relatively mild". He added: "It's likely to stay unsettled throughout next week, with areas of low pressure tending to come and go."
In its long-range forecast, the weather agency suggested another named storm - which would be the sixth of the season - could also be on the cards.
For the period from Monday, January 27, the Met Office said: "This looks like being and unsettled period across much of the country, but especially for northern and western parts.
"During Monday, another deep area of low pressure looks likely to move across the UK from the Atlantic, bringing wet and windy conditions to most if not all parts.
"Further spells of wet and windy weather look like moving east from the Atlantic to affect the UK during the rest of the period too, with drier, brighter spells in between. There is the potential for further weather warnings or even a named storm at some point.
"Temperatures overall are likely to end up being around or slightly above average, though wind and rain will make it feel chilly, and brief cool spells with some overnight frost are likely between weather systems."