Weather warnings extended to North West as remnants of Hurricane Ernesto hit UK

The Met Office has extended a wind warning to cover part of the North West as the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto hit the UK.

Hurricane Ernesto ripped through the North Atlantic this week, with maximum winds of 85mph leaving hundreds of thousands of people in Puerto Rico and Bermuda without power. As it moves towards the UK, the now tropical storm is expected to play a 'background role' in the downpours and windy weather expected today and tomorrow.

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.

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A rain warning has been issued for parts of Scotland from 11am today until 8am tomorrow. The Met Office has now also issued a yellow wind warning from 1am tomorrow until 9am, which covers parts of the North West.

The alert covers much of Cumbria, as well as parts of the North East of England and Wales. The Met Office said: "A spell of very strong southwesterly winds will occur during the early hours of Thursday, easing from the west during the morning.

"Gusts of 50mph are likely fairly widely with some gusts of 60 mph in exposed locations, including roads and bridges in north Wales, as well as roads passing over high ground in northern England and southern Scotland."

On the affects of Ernesto, Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: "While Ernesto itself will have dissipated by the time it reaches the UK, left over warm air and moisture will help to pep up some of the rainfall totals in the northwest in the coming days."

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