People are facing travel disruption and power cuts across the south of England as “unseasonably strong winds” are lashing the coast.
Gusts of up to 55mph are expected to move eastwards from Cornwall through to Sussex on Saturday, with wet and windy conditions expected to last until the evening.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind covering the south west and parts of the south east as it cautioned the windy weather could bring power outages and travel disruption.
Organisers at the Royal Cornwall Show said they had been forced to cancel the event’s final day due to the winds. They added the decision had been taken with “great regret”, following a “thorough assessment of forecast weather conditions”.
The Met Office said the weather warning is in place from 9am to 7pm on Saturday. Strong winds have already arrived across western Cornwall during Saturday morning and move eastwards across Cornwall, English Channel coastal districts, and the Isle of Wight, before reaching Sussex by mid-afternoon.
Forecasters warned people in coastal areas to be cautious of large waves caused by the strong winds.
They added there is a risk of power outages across the area, with a risk of some travel disruption also possible.
“Following wet and windy conditions overnight, a second spell of strong southwest to westerly winds is expected to arrive across western Cornwall during Saturday morning,” the Met Office said.
“These will steadily move eastwards across Cornwall, English Channel coastal districts, and the Isle of Wight, reaching Sussex by mid-afternoon. Winds will then begin to ease from the west.”
Forecasters said gusts of 45-50 mph are likely widely along coasts and more generally across Cornwall, and could reach up to 55 mph in a few exposed areas.
“Some disruption to weekend activities and events is possible, alongside a risk of power outages and some low level travel disruption,” the forecaster added.
It comes as a weekend of unsettled weather is expected more widely as a band of low pressure moves across the UK this weekend, bringing rain and winds.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Chris Bulmer, said: “Over the next few days we’ll continue to see a fairly changeable picture, with a mix of sunshine and showers for many. Into the weekend, a more organised area of rain and stronger winds will move across the UK, although this system is likely to weaken as it does so.
“While some heavier rain and gusty conditions are possible at times, the overall picture remains one of changeable weather, with further spells of rain or showers interspersed with some drier and brighter periods.”
Forecast for Saturday to Wednesday
Today:
Cloudy for most with outbreaks of rain, locally heavy at first. Becoming brighter from the west with showers in the south. Windy, with coastal gales in the southwest.
Tonight:
Tonight, showers easing as rain clears northeast. Turning drier with clear spells developing. Winds easing overnight, though wetter, windier conditions return in the west through the early hours.
Sunday:
Hazy sunshine in the south and southeast. Rain in the west, sometimes heavy with thunder, pushing southeastwards. Windy around coasts. Cool in the west; warmer in the east.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
Changeable weather ahead with showers and longer spells of rain. Drier and brighter interludes at times. Average temperatures for this point in June, alongside some milder nights.
