EX-TROPICAL storm Alex will bring strong winds and thundery downpours, together with warm temperatures and a high pollen count – prompting warnings for hay fever sufferers.
Forecasters say the unseasonably strong winds could reach up to 55mph.
Airborne allergens expert Max Wiseberg told the Daily Star: “With this fine weather thunderstorms are also predicted, and they can bring problems for hay fever sufferers.
“Very high pollen counts are predicted across many parts of England from Thursday onwards causing havoc for the millions of hay fever sufferers in the UK.
“Predicted thunderstorms won’t give respite, as instead they can cause a phenomenon known as ‘thunder fever’.”
Mr Wiseberg, creator of HayMax allergen barrier balm, added: “According to a report in The European Respiratory review, humidity breaks pollen grains into smaller allergenic particles.
“These new pollen grains turn into a kind of ‘super pollen’, and this appears to be more allergenic than normal pollen, causing more severe reactions in sufferers.
“Storms bring pollen grains down which might have otherwise risen above head height out of harm’s way and whipping up pollen grains and fungal spores near the ground.”
Read our weather live blog below for the latest forecasts and updates…
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UK weather outlook for Friday and Saturday
Mostly dry with sunny spells tomorrow however it will be breezy with showers across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Brightest in the evening.
Sunny on Saturday for much of England and Wales, especially to the south, but it will be mostly cloudy with showers across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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What the weather has in store over the next 10 days
If you’re wondering what the weather has in store over the next 10 days, look no further.
The Met Office has forecast that over the next few days Brits are going to be seeing strong winds.
Unfortunately, showers will also hit the UK by Friday.
Watch the full 10 day forecast down below:
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Forecast for tonight
Drizzle will spread from the west through the evening, fizzling out and will then mainly affect Scotland.
Through the early hours, it will be dry for most areas with the odd spot of drizzle in places, mainly in Scotland and southern England, and clear spells will develop.
Gentle south-westerly winds.
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‘No signs of summer heat’ in late June, says BBC
The BBC has reported that Brits are unlikely to see summer weather for some time, despite being well-into June.
“During late June and early July the models are struggling somewhat, but are hinting that the Azores high may extend towards western Europe while low pressure moves across Iceland to northern Scandinavia.,” the organisation said.
“This pattern would drive the occasional front across the United Kingdom. This type of setup would bring near-seasonal temperatures and precipitation with no sign of significant summer heat. Northern Ireland and Scotland could see some windy days, but it should not be on the extreme side.
“Some other scenarios are possible later in this forecast, especially over the final week. The forecast is very sensitive to the location of the high pressure. Should high pressure set up across Greenland, then the main Atlantic storm track would likely move more directly across northwest Europe. This would bring a wetter and windier pattern.”
This is probably not the news Brits were expecting as we approach summer.
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Weekend weather report makes for grim reading
According to the Met Office, Brits can expect strangely high winds for this time of year.
This comes as the remnants of tropical storm Alex batters the nation.
“An area of low pressure, previously Tropical Storm Alex, will move towards the northwest of Scotland, bringing strong winds and large waves to many northern and western areas,” said the Met Office.
Storm Alex has already killed two in Cuba, and while the weather will not be as extreme here, Brits can still expect brutal winds and rain.
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Thunderstorms to narrowly avoid London
In a detailed new graphic, the Met Office has outlined how thunderstorms will bypass London this afternoon.
“Clusters of heavy showers and thunderstorms continue to move east across southern England, with parts of Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex and Kent seeing some locally torrential downpours, hail and lightning in the next few hours.”
Not the best weather for June!
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Brits in for a cool and windy weekend
According to the Met Office, Brits are in for another mixed weekend.
Areas in the south will be dry with sunny spells, while the north will feature heavy winds and some rain.
“Generally dry with bright spells and slight showers. However, windy in the northwest with risk of coastal gales and frequent/heavy showers throughout,” said the Met Office.
“Temperatures near normal, but cool in the northwest.”
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What can Brits expect from Storm Alex?
The Met Office has outlined what kind of weather Brits can expect from Storm Alex when it hits our shores.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Sherwin said: “By the time the system that was Tropical Storm Alex gets near UK shores, it will have transitioned into a mature Atlantic low.
“Although no longer a named storm, it will bring some unseasonably strong winds across the northern half of the UK – especially to the northwest on Friday and Saturday.
“The track of the low-pressure system currently looks to be grazing the far northwest of the UK on Friday and Saturday and, although the details are still being worked out, winds are likely to reach around 45mph for many areas in the north of the UK, with a chance of some gusts in excess of 55mph in some exposed northwestern island and coastal areas.”
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Pollen levels continue to rise across the UK
As we move further into peak grass pollen season, pollen levels are on the rise once more.
According to the BBC, Wednesday and Thursday will see Pollen levels reach their highest for some time.
Those with allergies will want to make sure they aren’t too badly affected.
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In pictures: Brits avoid the rain in sunny beach trip
Despite thunder, rain and hail hitting the UK today, Brits have packed the nation’s beaches, making the most of the sunny spells.
This comes at the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning in some parts of the country.
The weekend will continue the trend of inconsistent weather, with spells of cloud, sun and rain all present.
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‘Lightning and hail’ on the way for the north
In a recent press release, the Met Office has outlined what kind of weather Brits can expect for the rest of the day and it isn’t pretty reading.
The comes after the organisation issued a Yellow Weather Warning for parts of the north.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: “Slow-moving thundery showers are the driving force behind the weather warning that has been issued.
“There’s a chance of some accompanying lightning and hail, and there could be some difficult driving conditions with a small chance of some localised surface-water flooding due to the volume of rain in a relatively short period of time.
“Some places within the warning area will miss the heaviest of the showers, but isolated spots could see in excess of 30mm of rain in just a few hours.”
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Nationwide outlook: Highs of 21C as high winds hit the north
The BBC has released an overview of Britain’s weather today.
London is warm, with temperatures reaching 21C, but will likely be hit with outbursts of rain.
Meanwhile, a Yellow Weather warning has been issued in parts of the north has high winds and rain could lead to flooding.
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Sunshine and showers for London today
The mixed weather will continue tomorrow in London.
Londoners can expect sunshine and showers, with the rain mostly letting up by the evening.
“Sunny spells and scattered showers, heavier in the afternoon with a chance of thunder and hail. Showers dying out in the evening but further rain likely later in the night. Maximum temperature 22 °C.”
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Surprise showers hit the south
Southern counties have been hit with unexpected showers in that last couple of hours.
This poor weather made its way onto our shores from the west, hitting Wales and Cornwall first.
Small downpours are expected to hit London before the day’s end.
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Manchester predicted sunshine and showers for Thursday
The outlook for Thursday is a mixed bag in Manchester, as sunshine and showers continue across the region.
Temperatures are likely to peak at 19C, slightly colder than the south.
The morning will be grim, but as the day goes one, rain will give way to sunny spells.
The Met Office has warned that the north may experience high winds in the coming days, as the leftovers of the tropical Storm Alex batter the UK.
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In pictures: Brits pack beaches despite heavy rain
The downpours have not stopped many Brits from enjoying the nation’s beaches so far this week.
Despite warnings from the Met Office of rain and thunder, parks and beaches saw waves of people take advantage of the brief spells of sunshine.
Temperatures are set to rise today, with parts of the country seeing highs of 23C.
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‘Bright & Breezy’: Strong winds hit the UK this afternoon
Speaking on this afternoon’s weather, the Met Office has stated that Brits can expect a mostly bright afternoon.
However, areas in the north are likely to be hit with rain and thunder.
Due to the possible flooding caused by these conditions, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning.
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What is Storm Alex? Everything You need to know about the tropical storm set to hit the UK
Torrential rain, thunderstorms and flooding are set to hit the UK this week, as the remnants of a tropical storm makes its way to our shores.
Storm Alex became the first named Atlantic storm this week, as it hit Florida and Cuba.
Currently, the storm is making its way to Bermuda after causing a number of deaths in Cuba.
Reports have suggested that the leftovers of this far-away storm will hit the UK.
While it will not be as extreme as it is across the Atlantic, Brits should still brace for some unpleasant weather.
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Brits in for cloud and rain on Thursday
According to the Met Office, Thursday will be a murky and cloudy day as rain makes its way across the nation.
Winds will be high as the remnants of storm Alex continue to hit the UK.
“Generally dry with bright spells and slight showers. However, windy in the northwest with risk of coastal gales and frequent/heavy showers throughout. Temperatures near normal, but cool in the northwest.”
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In pictures: Brits endure thunderstorms as they explore London
Despite the frequent rain, and occasional thunderstorms, Brits continued to explore the capital.
Here, Londoners can be seen enjoying the views on Westminster Bridge.
London was packed with visitors this weekend, as the nation came together to celebrate The Queens Platinum Jubilee.
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UK enters peak pollen season
As we move further into peak grass pollen season, pollen levels are on the rise once more.
Wednesday and Thursday will see Pollen levels reach their highest for some time.
Those with allergies will want to make sure they aren’t too badly affected.
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Brits in for a cool and windy weekend
According to the Met Office, Brits are in for another mixed weekend.
Areas in the south will be dry with sunny spells, while the north will feature heavy winds and some rain.
“Generally dry with bright spells and slight showers. However, windy in the northwest with risk of coastal gales and frequent/heavy showers throughout,” said the Met Office.
“Temperatures near normal, but cool in the northwest.”
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London’s outlook for Wednesday
The mixed weather will continue tomorrow in London.
Londoners can expect sunshine and showers, with the rain mostly letting up by the evening.
“Sunny spells and scattered showers, heavier in the afternoon with a chance of thunder and hail. Showers dying out in the evening but further rain likely later in the night. Maximum temperature 22 °C.”
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Met Office issues Yellow Weather Warning amid heavy rain and thunderstorms
The Met Office has warned Brits in the north east of England and south of Scotland of incoming rain and thunder.
Issuing a Yellow Weather Warning, the office claims that these areas could experience flooding and thunder.
This warning will be kept in place from 1pm – 8pm on Wednesday.
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Storm Alex to batter the UK this weekend
According to the Met Office, Brits can expect strangely high winds for this time of year.
This comes as the remnants of tropical storm Alex batters the nation.
“An area of low pressure, previously Tropical Storm Alex, will move towards the northwest of Scotland, bringing strong winds and large waves to many northern and western areas,” said the Met Office.
Storm Alex has already killed two in Cuba, and while the weather will not be as extreme here, Brits can still expect brutal winds and rain.