Scotland to see 'strongest winds of winter' as 'powerful' Jet Stream heads to UK

After a period of particularly harsh weather after Christmas, where we were hit with repeated weather warnings and then caught in a cold snap, the last week of milder temperatures has been a relief for many.

But that period of calm looks to be coming to an end again with the Met Office predicting a "wet and windy" end to January, thanks to an Atlantic jet stream which is set to batter the UK.

Ahead of the weatherfront coming in later this week, the national forecaster has issued a "danger to life" warning for wind for the entire west coast. The yellow weather alert stretches from the border with England, through Dumfries and Glasgow, past Inverness, enveloping the entire northern Highlands, and up to Orkney.

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Everywhere in western Scotland, including all of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, are within the warning zone. The alert is in place from midnight into Friday, January 24, until noon on Saturday, January 25.

The Met Office predicts "very strong winds" across Friday and Saturday, with gusts of 50-60mph for much of the affected area and 70-80mph for the coast.

The forecaster says there is a "danger to life" from falling debris and from giant waves in coastal areas. There is expected to be delays and cancellations on roads and railways, with air and ferry travel also likely to be impacted. On top of the weather warning, the Met Office believes the could see them return, with the potential for "a named storm at some point".

The "unsettled conditions" will start for us on Friday, January 24, after a deep area of low pressure will be pushed towards Britain by a powerful jet stream in the Atlantic, which was fuelled by the recent cold snap in North America that has forced Donald Trump's inauguration to be moved indoors today.

Jet stream winds of 250mph are expected over the Atlantic as the area of low pressure starts being steered across to the UK. The Met Office predicts that we could see "the strongest winds of winter so far" when it blasts Britain later in the week.

The "potentially disruptive weather" is due to make its mark on Friday, as heavy rain hammers the UK from the west, with snow showers expected in some areas too. Strong winds are predicted too, with "severe gales" a possibility along the west coast.

This is the start of a "wet and windy few days" for Scotland and the UK. Although the Atlantic weatherfront will die down, the Met Office are still predicting a disappointing end to the month weather-wise.

Heavy rain will be followed by a period of showers, with strong winds expected as well. Temperatures will rise, but due to the gusts and showers, it is unlikely to feel much warmer.

According to the Met Office, the dreich weather is likely to continue into the start of February. Their long range forecast, covering Friday, January 24, to Sunday, February 2, reads: "The change to much more unsettled conditions will begin on Friday as a deep area of low pressure, which is yet to develop, will be steered towards the UK on a powerful Jet Stream - fuelled by the recent cold spell over North America.

"A wet and windy few days are likely, with some snow in the north for a time, and then a continuation of these periods of rain followed by showers, often accompanied by strong winds, looks likely for the rest of the month and the start of February.

"There is the potential for weather warnings or even a named storm at some point. Temperatures at least should recover in most places, ending up a little above average, though admittedly not feeling like it at times."

Regions and local authorities affected by the Met Office weather warnings

Central, Tayside & Fife

Angus

Clackmannanshire

Dundee

Falkirk

Fife

Perth and Kinross

Stirling

Grampian

Aberdeen

Aberdeenshire

Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

Na h-Eileanan Siar

Highland

Orkney & Shetland

Orkney Islands

Shetland Islands

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

Dumfries and Galloway

East Lothian

Edinburgh

Midlothian Council

Scottish Borders

West Lothian

Strathclyde

Argyll and Bute

East Ayrshire

East Dunbartonshire

East Renfrewshire

Glasgow

Inverclyde

North Ayrshire

North Lanarkshire

Renfrewshire

South Ayrshire

South Lanarkshire

West Dunbartonshire

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