UK weather: Strong winds and rain forecast after chilly start

Band of rain will gradually spread east across UK on Friday

 Strong winds will hit northern areas later on Friday (PA)

It will be a cold start for most across the UK, with grey skies spreading throughout the morning leaving outbreaks of rain and drizzle in places.

After a mostly dry day on Thursday, clouds and rain will spread from the west on Friday while strong winds will hit the north.

A damp and breezy morning for those in the west, this band of rain will gradually spread east across the UK.

By lunchtime, spreading rain will cause mist and grey skies across central areas though outbreaks will not be too persistent or heavy in most places.

Going into the evening, the rain will clear in the east leaving mild and drier spells with temperatures predicted to return to double digits in most areas, according to the Met Office.

Though rainfall will be particularly persistent Friday evening and Saturday morning across western hills in Scotland.

However, the Met Office forecast this rain in the north-west will move south-eastwards over southern Scotland later on with heavy showers and gales predicted to hit the far north of England.

Looking forward to the weekend, severe gales and showers will continue in the far north while some areas northbound will see showers and sunny spells.

Over the weekend, this band of rain will move south across central areas while it will remain mostly dry and bright in the south, according to the Met Office. There will be blustery showers in the north on Sunday.