A double barrage of heavy rain and high winds will blast parts of the UK as low pressure bowls in from the Atlantic with 80mph gusts pounding storm-hammered western Britain and Ireland.

Two areas of low pressure will arrive in quick succession between Thursday and Saturday interspersed by a short lull of drier, brighter weather early on Friday.

The first quick-moving trough will advance into the south of Ireland during Thursday on strong, powerful winds accompanied by heavy downpours. It will shift onwards to Wales and south-west England later in the day before weakening.

There will be a brief respite for central and southern Britain before the second wave of potent conditions storm in from the Atlantic on the edge of an even deeper low to signal a turbulent weekend for the UK.

Huge waves in Penzance as Hurricane Ophelia moved in
Huge waves in Penzance as Hurricane Ophelia moved in

The UK Met Office names any approaching storms that are likely to be accompanied by an official weather alert. The latest bout of bad weather is yet to be officially christened, because there is still some uncertainty over its severity. However, if it is named it will be called Storm Brian.

Current indications suggest the heart of the low pressure will speed through Ireland during Friday night with strong to gale force winds possible.

High winds and rain will batter much of the country with strongest gusts and heaviest downpours likely in south-west England and Wales overnight into Saturday.

The stormy conditions will continue through much of the day but it will slowly become brighter for many during Sunday.

Huge waves in Penzance as Hurricane Ophelia moved in
Huge waves in Penzance as Hurricane Ophelia moved in

Forecaster Eleanor Bell, of The Weather Channel, said the first area of low pressure would bring gusty winds to Ireland, Wales and south-west England during Thursday before calming in advance of the second salvo of storms.

She added: “Current tracks show the centre of the low moving through Ireland with strong to gale force winds possible for Ireland late on Friday.

“Strongest winds and heaviest rain will likely be over Wales and south-west England overnight into Saturday.”

She added that winds could reach gale to severe gale force with gusts of 60-70mph, locally 80mph for western and southern coastal areas.”

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