A wet and windy start to 2024

If you're planning a New Year's Day walk or swim, you'll need to wrap up well as looks like being a wet and windy start to 2024.

Meanwhile, those heading out on the roads are also being advised to be prepared for the elements.

The RAC’s Rod Dennis offered the following advice to drivers: “Storm Gerrit might have passed but, with another round of distinctly unsettled weather moving in, drivers are going to once again need to be ready to cope with difficult driving conditions in the run up to the new year.

"The most important thing they should do is reduce their speeds, especially on exposed and upland roads, and to always keep a firm hold of the steering wheel to avoid getting buffeted off course by the gusty winds. Driving slower also gives motorists more time to react to changing conditions up ahead – and this is particularly important during periods of very heavy rainfall which can quickly reduce vehicles’ grip on the road and make driving hazardous.

“Keeping up to date with the latest weather forecast from the Met Office before setting out, as well as checking traffic and road incidents on the free myRAC mobile app, is vital.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “The Environment Agency is monitoring closely and has teams out on the ground undertaking preparatory activity to minimise the impacts of flooding where possible.

"At this time of year, with people out walking over the festive and New Year period, it’s particularly important to take care near riverbanks. If you are planning on travelling, please check the weather conditions ahead of your journey, and we urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.”

Here is the Met Office forecast up until Wednesday:

Tonight (Saturday)

We will see heavy rain and squally winds clearing eastwards this evening. Heavy showers in the west later with hail and thunder possible. Turning windier again with coastal gales later. Minimum temperature 3 °C.

Sunday

Another windy day with sunny spells and heavy showers, possibly merging into bands at times with hail and thunder in places. Windy with coastal gales and not quite as mild. Maximum temperature 10 °C.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday

Some rain is likely on New Year's Day, especially in the south of the region but turning widely wet and windy later. Thereafter, sunshine and showers and windy at times.

Looking further ahead into 2024, Nick Silkstone, Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, said: “Through to mid-January, there is a signal for a shift in the pattern compared to the winter so far, with more settled and colder-than-average conditions becoming increasingly likely.”