Met Office Issues Warning For Strong Winds As Storm Nelson Brings Unsettled Conditions Before Easter

A yellow warning for strong winds has been issued for many coastal areas in southern England with the UK expected to see unsettled conditions from Storm Nelson in the days before Easter.

The Met Office said the warning applies from 7am until 6pm on Thursday and extends in a band from locations such as St Ives and Penzance in the South West across to Brighton.

Forecasters said gusts could reach 70mph - and there is a risk of hail and thunder.

"Strong winds and large coastal waves may lead to hazardous conditions," the Met Office said.

The weather may impact transport networks, including ferry services, and there is a "slight chance" of power cuts, it added.

"There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties."

Sky News weather producer Christopher England said strong gusts along the coast will be associated with "heavy, squally showers bringing a risk of hail and thunder".

He added:

"It'll stay mostly unsettled into next week, with further heavy showers or longer spells of rain, and 70mph gusts near Channel coasts tomorrow, thanks to the Spanish-named Storm Nelson.

"But the showers will become more isolated over the weekend and it will turn milder."

Temperatures could reach 14C (57F) in London on Saturday - making the capital warmer than Madrid.

The Met Office said Wednesday will see "outbreaks of rain developing" across England and Wales, while showers will continue in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, conditions will turn dry overnight.

Thursday will see showers moving north across most areas.

What does the Met Office say about the Easter weekend?

Good Friday is expected to see blustery showers, which will be more frequent in southern and western areas.

The showery theme is likely to continue on Saturday in the same areas, but it is looking like places further north and east will be brighter.

Easter Sunday is looking like it will be the "best day of the week" - before conditions become more unsettled into Monday.

(c) Sky News 2024: Warning for strong winds issued by the Met Office as Storm Nelson brings unsettled