Storms Dorian and Gabrielle to bring wet, windy weather to the UK this week
As post-tropical systems, Dorian and Gabrielle will deliver a one-two punch of rain and gusty winds to the United Kingdom this week.
After reaching peak strength while battering the Bahamas and brushing the eastern United States, Dorian will track near or just south of Iceland before passing north of Scotland Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Despite the center of the storm passing well north of the country, locally heavy rain and strong winds will still batter parts of the U.K on Tuesday night.
Rainfall will first reach northwest Northern Ireland and western Scotland late Tuesday afternoon before expanding south and eastward Tuesday night. The heaviest rain looks to move into parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, especially western Scotland, on Tuesday night before diminishing before the Wednesday morning commute.
Rainfall amounts of 25-50 mm (1-2 inches), with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 100 mm (4 inches), are expected. This amount of rain is likely to cause some flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas. Some minor stream and river flooding will also be possible.
At the same time, a strong westerly wind will accompany the rain. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph (80 km/h).
"Parts of Scotland could experience localized power outages and tree damage," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
While much of the heavy rain will stay in northern parts of the British Isles, some showers will dampen England and Wales late Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Wednesday's blustery showers will not be the last effects from a tropical system this week.
After stirring up the waters of the North Atlantic, Gabrielle will race toward the U.K., bringing more unsettled weather on Thursday.
A brief period of downpours is expected across Northern Ireland, northwest England and western Scotland on Thursday, elevating the risk for local flooding and travel disruptions. Wind gusts in these areas could reach 40 mph (65 km/h), especially on hilltops and windward-facing coasts.
Brisk conditions will continue in these regions into the evening before lessening late Thursday night.
Gusty winds will also be felt across Wales and the remainder of England. However, much of the day will be dry with nothing more than a brief shower.
As AccuWeather predicted, tropical systems will be playing a role in the weather early this autumn. Long-range meteorologists at AccuWeather are predicting a slightly below-normal year in terms of named windstorms for the upcoming winter and spring.
On Friday morning, the UK Met Office released on twitter the list of windstorm names they will be using for the 2019-2020 season.
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