The United Kingdom is bracing for a chilly, rainy, and blustery Easter weekend as strong 70mph winds move in from Canada. Plans for the long holiday weekend may need to shift indoors, with the Met Office predicting a wet and cloudy outlook starting from Good Friday.
Weather warnings have been issued for wind across much of northern England, North Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, lasting until midday on Easter Sunday. The national forecaster warns of possible delays in road, rail, air, and ferry travel, potentially causing disruptions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
This weekend is expected to be busy on the roads, with the AA estimating 21.7 million journeys planned for today alone. The RAC anticipates this Easter to be the most congested on the roads since 2022. The Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Holley, highlighted the influence of a cold air mass from Canada affecting the North Atlantic, intensifying the jet stream and creating a deep low-pressure system moving towards the UK.
The forecast includes very strong winds late on Saturday and into Easter Sunday, with yellow wind warnings issued for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of England and Wales. Wind gusts could peak at 50-60 mph widely, reaching 60-70 mph in exposed areas and possibly up to 80-90 mph in western Scotland. Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing in the north, while the south may experience milder conditions.
Last month’s rainfall data showed a contrast between the north and south of England, with southern regions receiving 37% less rainfall than average and the north and Scotland experiencing above-average rainfall.
