Met Office Issues Urgent Weather Warning as 80mph Winds Threaten Millions Across the UK

Published: 11 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

The UK Met Office has issued a severe weather warning as large parts of southern England, south-west England, Wales, and sections of the north-west prepare to face gale-force winds reaching up to 80 miles per hour. The yellow weather warning, which will be in effect for a prolonged 20-hour period from 8pm on Sunday until 6pm on Monday, is expected to affect millions of people and cause significant disruption across dozens of counties and major cities.

Forecasters have described the weather pattern as “unsettled,” with thunderstorms, heavy showers, and strong winds likely to sweep through much of the country as the weekend transitions into next week. The Met Office has cautioned residents in the affected regions to remain alert to changing conditions, with coastal areas particularly vulnerable to high winds and the risk of dangerous waves. While no named storm has yet been declared, the ferocity of the predicted gusts is causing widespread concern among emergency services, transport authorities, and local councils.

The warning stretches across a broad swathe of the country, from London and the South East through to the coastal counties of the South West and deep into Wales, with the North West of England also bracing for significant impact. Major urban centres including London, Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton, and Liverpool fall within the advisory zone. In total, 49 areas have been identified by the Met Office as likely to experience severe conditions, covering much of the country’s southern and western seaboard.

In addition to the looming threat of gale-force winds, the Met Office has predicted that showers will intensify on Friday evening, particularly in western coastal regions, before spreading more widely across England and Wales overnight. Saturday may bring heavy rainfall and even isolated thunderstorms, increasing the risk of localized flooding and travel disruption. The strongest winds are expected to develop late on Sunday, persisting into Monday, with coastal communities warned of possible structural damage, hazardous sea conditions, and delays to transport services both by road and rail.

Forecasters have also noted that in the far north-west of Scotland, the coming days are likely to bring spells of heavy rain combined with gusty conditions, although the most dangerous weather is expected further south. Across the rest of the UK, conditions will remain highly changeable, with brief spells of sunshine likely to be interrupted by intense showers, some accompanied by hail and thunder.

Authorities are urging residents in vulnerable regions to take precautions ahead of the stormy period, including securing outdoor furniture, checking travel updates, and exercising caution when travelling on exposed routes such as coastal roads, bridges, and elevated railways. Ferry services between the south coast of England and the Isle of Wight, as well as crossings into Wales, may also face disruption depending on the severity of conditions.

Despite the warnings, the Met Office has stopped short of declaring a named storm, emphasising that while the winds will be severe, they do not yet meet the threshold of the most destructive systems witnessed in recent years. Nonetheless, the strength of the forecast gusts, particularly along the coasts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Pembrokeshire, has prompted concerns over power outages, fallen trees, and potential delays to flights from regional airports.

The coming weekend therefore promises to be a test of resilience for many communities already accustomed to the erratic nature of the UK’s weather. With millions of households and businesses lying within the warning area, the next few days will demand vigilance, preparation, and patience as the country braces for what may be one of the most turbulent spells of weather seen this year.