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Torrential rain and winds batter UK Torrential rain and winds batter UK
(about 4 hours later)
The UK faces a day of horrendous weather, with winds of up to 65mph battering coasts and torrential rain threatening flooding.The UK faces a day of horrendous weather, with winds of up to 65mph battering coasts and torrential rain threatening flooding.
Severe weather warnings have been issued for Wales, south-west England, the Midlands, London and the south-sast and eastern parts of the country.Severe weather warnings have been issued for Wales, south-west England, the Midlands, London and the south-sast and eastern parts of the country.
The unseasonable weather has already seen a number of trees brought down, including one which crushed a car near Tavistock, Devon, on Thursday afternoon. The unseasonable weather has already seen a number of trees brought down, including one which crushed a car near Tavistock in Devon on Thursday afternoon.
Crews from Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service used cutting gear to remove the roof of the vehicle and release a woman, who was taken to hospital.Crews from Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service used cutting gear to remove the roof of the vehicle and release a woman, who was taken to hospital.
A fallen tree also caught fire after it brought down power lines across the River Axe at Forde Abbey in Chard, Somerset, on Thursday night.A fallen tree also caught fire after it brought down power lines across the River Axe at Forde Abbey in Chard, Somerset, on Thursday night.
Rain affected many areas on Thursday, with the first day of the third Test between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston washed out.Rain affected many areas on Thursday, with the first day of the third Test between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston washed out.
A spokesman for the Met Office said the south coast would be battered by severe gales on Friday, while temperatures would be cool for the time of year, with the maximum expected to be 16C (61F).A spokesman for the Met Office said the south coast would be battered by severe gales on Friday, while temperatures would be cool for the time of year, with the maximum expected to be 16C (61F).
Rain will also fall on much of the country with Wales expected to get the biggest drenching.Rain will also fall on much of the country with Wales expected to get the biggest drenching.
A deep area of low pressure from the Atlantic is moving slowly north-east, touching north Wales before passing over the North Sea by evening – bringing heavy rain and wind with it.A deep area of low pressure from the Atlantic is moving slowly north-east, touching north Wales before passing over the North Sea by evening – bringing heavy rain and wind with it.
Aisling Creevey, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "What we are seeing is tight pressure gradients across the UK, meaning it is really windy.Aisling Creevey, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "What we are seeing is tight pressure gradients across the UK, meaning it is really windy.
"Winds could reach up to 65mph across exposed coastal areas of Wales and south-west and southern England."Winds could reach up to 65mph across exposed coastal areas of Wales and south-west and southern England.
"Across northern England, where the low pressure is moving over, winds are a bit more slack, and they are moderate across southern and central Scotland."Across northern England, where the low pressure is moving over, winds are a bit more slack, and they are moderate across southern and central Scotland.
"But we could see winds of up to 50mph across northernmost Scotland, and about 40mph to 45mph across the Northern Isles.""But we could see winds of up to 50mph across northernmost Scotland, and about 40mph to 45mph across the Northern Isles."
The gusting winds will also bring large waves – possibly up to five-and-a-half metres in parts of the Channel.The gusting winds will also bring large waves – possibly up to five-and-a-half metres in parts of the Channel.
And a day of heavy rain is a real possibility for much of the country.And a day of heavy rain is a real possibility for much of the country.
Creevey said: "The heaviest rain will be across Wales, the Midlands and western and northern England.Creevey said: "The heaviest rain will be across Wales, the Midlands and western and northern England.
"The south-west could see anywhere between 15mm and 25mm of rain.""The south-west could see anywhere between 15mm and 25mm of rain."
A Met Office spokesman, Charlie Powell, said: "It is possible there could be up to three inches of rain in hilly and mountainous areas of Wales, with lower but still substantial rainfall in more low-lying areas."A Met Office spokesman, Charlie Powell, said: "It is possible there could be up to three inches of rain in hilly and mountainous areas of Wales, with lower but still substantial rainfall in more low-lying areas."
The strong winds are expected to ease off throughout the day and fall significantly by 8pm or 9pm, though there may still be gusts of up to 55mph in some places.The strong winds are expected to ease off throughout the day and fall significantly by 8pm or 9pm, though there may still be gusts of up to 55mph in some places.