UK weather: 80mph gusts and torrential rain could spoil Bonfire Night celebrations

Jimmy Nsubuga
Updated
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2019/11/01: A woman shelters from the rain underneath an umbrella on a wet day. 70mm rain expected as UK braces for heavy showers and gale force winds this weekend. (Photo by Steve Taylor/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A woman shelters from the rain underneath an umbrella (Picture: Getty)

It’s not looking that great for Bonfire Night celebrations after the Met Office issued a number of rain and wind warnings across the country.

Trees and scaffolding have been blown over leaving cars damaged and transport disrupted after high winds of more than 80mph hit parts of the UK.

The Met Office advised those attending or organising bonfire events to take care.

It said people should be mindful of the strength of the wind before setting off fireworks.

Stewards outside the stadium in heavy rain prior to the Premiership match at The AMEX Stadium, Brighton. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)
Stewards outside the stadium in heavy rain prior to the Premiership match at The AMEX Stadium, Brighton (Picture: Getty)

Lewisham Council, which organises the display at Blackheath, south-east London, confirmed it was proceeding as planned on Saturday night.

Organisers at Alexandra Palace in north London have also said they plan to go ahead despite the weather warnings.

But an event in Bishops Stortford, Essex, has been cancelled due to the bad weather.

The firework display during the Alexandra Palace Firework Festival in London. (Photo by Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images)
A firework display during the Alexandra Palace Firework Festival in London (Picture: Getty)

A number of rain and wind warnings have been issued across the south of England and Wales, while a band of rain could affect northern Scotland.

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South Western Railways said a number of trees were blocking the line between Woking and Weymouth after being blown down and warned services could be delayed or cancelled.

Police posted a photograph on social media showing scaffolding which had collapsed on to a line of parked cars due to the strong gusts in Dorset Street, Blandford Forum.

Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall said: “It has been pretty windy with widespread gusts across southern areas.

“We are beginning to see stronger winds across the South East and they will continue into the afternoon.”

He added gusts of more than 80mph had been measured in the South West on Saturday morning.

Winds of 83mph were recorded in Plymouth and 82mph in Culdrose in Cornwall.

Rainfall is expected reach 30mm-40mm widely across Wales and south-west England, but locally could reach 60mm-80mm.