By George Lomas

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This is a weather advisory for London and the South East regarding the approach of Storm Amy, the first named storm of the season.

The United Kingdom is preparing for the arrival of Storm Amy, which is currently undergoing rapid intensification over the Atlantic

Storm Amy is currently a deep area of low pressure in the Atlantic. It is rapidly developing and is forecast to make its impact on the UK beginning Friday evening, 3 October, and continuing throughout Saturday, 4 October.

The core of the storm, featuring the most damaging wind and heavy rain, is projected to track to the north and northwest of the country, impacting Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of north-west England, where Met Office Amber warnings are in place.

While the most severe weather is reserved for the northern and western regions of the country, London is advised to prepare for a distinct period of unsettled, wet, and notably windy conditions as the system tracks across the UK.

London and the South East will be positioned on the periphery of the system. While we will avoid the extreme winds of over 80 mph being forecast for the most exposed northern areas, the capital will nonetheless experience a significant deterioration in conditions, primarily due to very strong wind gusts and spells of heavy rain through the weekend.

Wind speeds in London are expected to climb sharply beginning Friday. The windiest period will be from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, with maximum gusts widely anticipated to reach 40 to 45 miles per hour (mph). This level of wind is sufficient to cause minor disruption, particularly for high-sided vehicle traffic, and presents a risk of dislodging loose outdoor items.

After the peak of the storm passes, winds will gradually begin to moderate on Sunday, easing back to around 25 to 30 mph.

Looking into the new working week, conditions will remain breezy on Monday, with gusts still in the range of 25 to 30 mph. By Tuesday and Wednesday, wind speeds are forecast to decrease further, settling back to moderate levels of approximately 15 to 20 mph, with a more stable, albeit potentially showery, weather pattern returning to the capital.

All residents are urged to take necessary precautions over the weekend and remain up-to-date with the latest official travel and weather advice.