UK weather forecast: Temperatures to plunge as Storm Hannah hits Britain with heavy rain and strong winds

Weekend to be more than 10C colder than record-breaking Easter

Temperatures are set to plunge more than 10C as Storm Hannah blows away the UK’s recent warm weather.

Gusts of up to 75mph are forecast to hit the southwest coast by Friday evening, before heavy rain and strong winds sweep over parts of Britain on Saturday.

The Met Office said temperatures would drop to the low teens, slightly colder than the average for this time of year.

Highs of just 12C or 13C will be in stark contrast to last weekend, which saw temperatures of 25C recorded in London and the hottest Easter Monday on record in the UK and Ireland.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “When you add on the strength of the wind and the rain it will feel colder.”

Storm Hannah, which was named by Irish forecaster Met Eireann, will arrive on the southwest coast of Ireland on Friday afternoon before moving east to Wales and southwest England.

A yellow weather warning is in place for the southwest from Friday night until Saturday afternoon.

The Met Office said disruption to road, rail, air and ferry transport was likely and power outages were possible.

The storm is expected to clear the UK by Sunday, leaving behind calmer conditions for the London Marathon and more settled weather next week.

Met Office chief forecaster Frank Saunders said: “We’re going to see an unsettled period over the next few days, but the forecast for later next week indicates the return of high pressure, bringing more settled conditions.

“Storm Hannah will move away from the UK during Saturday followed by a transient ridge of high pressure bringing more settled weather to the UK for Sunday – good news for London Marathon runners.”