UK weather: Brits hit by 70mph gales with major bridge forced to close after Met Office issues yellow warning for wind

Published on September 15, 2025 at 08:59 AM
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GALES of up to 70mph have torn through Britain overnight, bringing travel disruptions following the closure of a key bridge.

The Met Office has warned that the weather will pummel Brits across much of and until this evening.

Cars driving in heavy rain.Autumn is well and truly underway as wet and windy weather strikes the UK Large waves crashing against a seawall with people watching.Stormy weather and big waves at Brighton in Sussex, as people along the coast are warned to be wary of large waves that could sweep them out to sea Map of the UK highlighting areas affected by 70mph winds.A yellow warning is in place across most of England and Wales until tomorrow evening

The gales have forced the M48 Severn Bridge in South Gloucestershire to close in both directions between its first and second junctions.

“Strong west or southwesterly winds will arrive across coastal areas of southwest England and Wales during Sunday evening, then develop more widely inland during Monday morning,” the forecaster said.

“Gusts of 45-55 mph are expected widely inland, with gusts of 60-70 mph possible at times along exposed coasts and hills.

“Winds will only slowly ease from the west later in the afternoon and into Monday evening.”

The Met Office also warned those affected to plan their routes in advance and frequently check for delays and road closures.

The stormy conditions could cause delays for people travelling by train, plane, boat and car.

Many journeys will likely take longer than usual, especially if commuters hop on the bus or train.

The also warned lorries and other high-sides vehicles to be careful on exposed routes and bridges.

In some places, the wind could even knock out the .

UK 5-day weather forecast

Today:
Largely sunny for the Northern Isles whilst rain spreads across most other areas, heavy at times.

Turning brighter in the southwest later but with winds strengthening and coastal gales developing.

Chilly to start and remaining rather cool where cloud persists.

Tonight:
Rain moves towards northern Scotland. Elsewhere, clear spells and blustery showers, most frequent in the west.

Windy across England and Wales with coastal gales, locally severe in the west.

Monday:
Unsettled with spells of rain and showers, some heavy with hail and thunder.

Brightest conditions in the southeast, but strong and gusty winds continuing across much of England and Wales.

Tuesday to Thursday:
Winds and showers gradually easing during Tuesday but turning wet and windy again for a time on Wednesday.

Showers and sunny spells for Thursday. Often breezy and feeling rather cool.

The warning was put in place from 8pm yesterday evening and will last until 6pm today,

It stretches from the entire south and midlands, all the way up to just below Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The weather for the rest of the week is also set to inconvenience Brits.

On Tuesday, a ridge of high pressure will bring a short-lived spell of more settled conditions before another low pressure system is likely to affect the UK on Wednesday.

The weather warning added: “Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.

“Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

It comes after thunderstorms and heavy rain lashed parts of England and Wales after the last week.

People wearing rain ponchos walk on a rainy city street.It comes after Storm Amy sweeped the UK People navigating a rain-soaked city street near a tram.Workers sprint to get out of the rain in Manchester City Centre

Where is covered by the warning?

East Midlands

  • Derby
  • Derbyshire
  • Leicester
  • Leicestershire
  • Lincolnshire
  • Northamptonshire
  • Nottingham
  • Nottinghamshire
  • Rutland

East of England

  • Bedford
  • Cambridgeshire
  • Central Bedfordshire
  • Essex
  • Hertfordshire
  • Luton
  • Norfolk
  • Peterborough
  • Southend-on-Sea
  • Suffolk
  • Thurrock

London & South East England

  • Bracknell Forest
  • Brighton and Hove
  • Buckinghamshire
  • East Sussex
  • Greater London
  • Hampshire
  • Isle of Wight
  • Kent
  • Medway
  • Milton Keynes
  • Oxfordshire
  • Portsmouth
  • Reading
  • Slough
  • Southampton
  • Surrey
  • West Berkshire
  • West Sussex
  • Windsor and Maidenhead
  • Wokingham
  • North East England
  • Darlington
  • Durham
  • Hartlepool
  • Middlesbrough
  • Redcar and Cleveland
  • Stockton-on-Tees

North West England

  • Blackburn with Darwen
  • Blackpool
  • Cheshire East
  • Cheshire West and Chester
  • Cumbria
  • Greater Manchester
  • Halton
  • Lancashire
  • Merseyside
  • Warrington

South West England

  • Bath and North East Somerset
  • Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
  • Bristol
  • Cornwall
  • Devon
  • Dorset
  • Gloucestershire
  • Isles of Scilly
  • North Somerset
  • Plymouth
  • Somerset
  • South Gloucestershire
  • Swindon
  • Torbay
  • Wiltshire

Wales

  • Blaenau Gwent
  • Bridgend
  • Caerphilly
  • Cardiff
  • Carmarthenshire
  • Ceredigion
  • Conwy
  • Denbighshire
  • Flintshire
  • Gwynedd
  • Isle of Anglesey
  • Merthyr Tydfil
  • Monmouthshire
  • Neath Port Talbot
  • Newport
  • Pembrokeshire
  • Powys
  • Rhondda Cynon Taf
  • Swansea
  • Torfaen
  • Vale of Glamorgan
  • Wrexham

West Midlands

  • Herefordshire
  • Shropshire
  • Staffordshire
  • Stoke-on-Trent
  • Telford and Wrekin
  • Warwickshire
  • West Midlands Conurbation
  • Worcestershire

Yorkshire & Humber

  • East Riding of Yorkshire
  • Kingston upon Hull
  • North East Lincolnshire
  • North Lincolnshire
  • North Yorkshire
  • South Yorkshire
  • West Yorkshire
  • York

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