Gale-force winds to batter UK as snow and cold set for comeback
Image: BBC

Gale-force winds to batter UK as snow and cold set for comeback

11 March, 2026.Britain.1 sources

Key Takeaways

  • Met Office yellow warning for gusts to 80mph across northern and western Scotland Wednesday
  • Strengthening winds across the UK will likely cause travel disruption in the next few days
  • Temperatures will drop into Friday with wintry conditions and some snow expected

Overview and trend

Some travel disruption is likely in the next few days as strengthening winds develop across the United Kingdom.

Some travel disruption is likely in the next few days as strenghtening winds develop across the United Kingdom

BBCBBC

A deepening area of low pressure between Scotland and Iceland on Wednesday is bringing strong westerly winds, gales and even touching severe gales.

Image from BBC
BBCBBC

It will turn more widely windy for most of us during Thursday.

Warnings and impacts

On Wednesday a Met Office yellow warning is in force for gusts up to 80mph (130km/h) expected across northern and western Scotland.

The Met Office has a yellow warning in force until 12:00 GMT in western and northern Scotland for gusts to reach 65-70mph (105-110km/h) and a small chance of up to 80mph (130km/h) in some locations.

Image from BBC
BBCBBC

The strongest winds will initially be felt in the Outer and Inner Hebrides before spreading into northern mainland Scotland and Orkney later on.

There could be some travel disruption such as cancelled ferries, flight delays and bridge restrictions for high-sided vehicles.

While Wednesday will be a dry and bright day for most of the UK, there will be some frequent showers across Scotland.

Thursday and weekend winds

By Thursday the strongest winds across western Scotland will have eased but it will turn windy quite widely across the UK.

Some travel disruption is likely in the next few days as strenghtening winds develop across the United Kingdom

BBCBBC

Gusts of 40-50mph (65-80km/h) will be seen widely, up to 60mph (97km/h) around western coasts of England and Wales and 65mph (105km/h) in northern and western Scotland.

We then need to keep an eye on the forecast for the weekend.

Another deep area of low pressure will pass to the south of Iceland with strong winds on its southern flank across the UK.

Friday wintry outlook

On Friday a northwesterly wind will start to drag in some colder air from the Arctic region.

Temperatures will therefore fall to around three or four degrees below average and with strong winds, it will perhaps make it feel much colder.

Image from BBC
BBCBBC

Fast-moving hail showers are possible almost anywhere and brief flurries of wet snow are not out of the question, even in the south.

However, snow is unlikely to settle there.

Most of any accumulating snow is only really likely on the mountains and higher ground of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.

Some could also be possible in Wales and south-west England.

There is the possibility of further wintry showers in the forecast for Sunday.

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