Met Office issues warning as Hurricane Ernesto moves over Atlantic with 'dangerous' conditions to come

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning as the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto are expected to bring heavy rain and strong gales to parts of the UK as the ex-storm moves over the Atlantic.

A westerly airflow and a strengthened jet stream will bring wet and windy weather to many, according to forecasters. Gusts of up to 60mph and persistent rain could bring some “dangerous conditions” to some areas, the Met Office has warned.

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued in Scotland, covering western and southern areas. The warning will be in place from 9am on Wednesday to 3pm on Thursday. The worst affected areas could see up to 150mm of rainfall within 24 hours.

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Other areas affected by heavy rain – including Glasgow, Ayrshire and other places in western Scotland – are likely to see 75 to 100mm of rainfall over the course of Wednesday and Thursday. This could cause difficult driving conditions, travel disruption, and flooding in places.

The rest of the country will see calmer weather, but with unsettled conditions for some later this week as bands of rain move south-east, the forecaster added.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “A band of rain will move in from the west on Wednesday morning and will become slow moving with heavy bursts of rain at times, especially over high ground in Scotland. This rain will persist into Thursday for many within the warning area, with 75 to 100mm likely quite widely, with higher accumulations possible over the higher ground."

He added: "Gusty winds will accompany the rain, with 50 to 60mph possible near Irish Sea coasts and the west of Scotland. Coupled with