UK weather: Mild 17C temperatures combine with gale force winds and 10 days of rain across the UK

A woman holding an umbrella catches a London taxi in the pouring rain (Getty Images)

Conflicting weather conditions look set to continue this autumn, as “unusually mild” temperatures are accompanied by lashings of rain, potential flash flooding and gale-force winds of up to 50 miles per hour.

Last night hit 17C in some parts of the UK and temperatures will stay at14C in southern parts of England, almost double the average 8C usually experienced at this time of year.

The Met Office has said these mild and muggy conditions could last for the rest of this week across most parts of Britain.

Forecasters have warned warm weather will continue to be joined by gale force winds of between 45-50mph from the south to south west today and strong winds will gather across the south coast of Wales into the south coast of England.

A Met Office spokesperson said a “brief respite” from gale force winds can be expected on Thursday, but winds will gather force again in the evening and into Friday.

Continuous showers and sodden ground have urged forecasters to raise the risk of flash floods. Yellow warnings have been put in place by the Met Office across south west England until 3pm today and also across parts of southern Scotland. A yellow warning has also been issued for Thursday at midday across southwest England and southern wales.

“We should see some drier and brighter weather through Wednesday and Thursday - a respite in terms of persistent rain - but another band will push up from the south west from Thursday night into Friday”, the spokesperson said.

“The unsettled theme looks set to continue for next six to ten days.”

The warnings come after volatile storms triggered a ‘mini-tornado’ hitting the Hayling Island near Portsmouth, damaging the roofs of almost 100 houses.

Havant Borough Council said: “A mini-tornado has hit Hayling Island at around 8am [Sunday] causing some damage to properties in Blackthorn Road and Ilex Walk."

Residents across the eastern parts of England and Scotland can expect heavy showers merging into prolonged periods of rain at times and possible thunder tonight. Wednesday will see an unsettled start across the UK with heavy showers and the risk of isolated thunderstorms.

However, the showers will slowly become confined to north-west Scotland, Northern Ireland and Cumbria as the day progresses, allowing good spells of sunshine to develop. Conditions will become mild, albeit breezy.