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The Met Office has warned of a spell of unsettled weather as we approach Halloween this weekend. While much of the world's attention has rightly been focused on Hurricane Melissa in the Atlantic, forecasters on these shores are monitoring the potential development of another area of low pressure that could bring strong winds and rain to western parts of the country. The UK's national meteorological service, working in partnership with Met Éireann and KNMI in the Netherlands, is closely tracking this system as it evolves. At present, the Met Office says it does not appear likely to meet the criteria for a named storm , but the situation remains under review. The public is advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts, as the situation could change at short notice. With Halloween falling on a Friday this year and many families enjoying half-term, heavy blustery showers might threaten the enjoyment of the traditional trick or treating. Periods of wet and windy weather are expected throughout much of the day, especially in southern and western regions. The strongest winds are forecast to affect Ireland and Northern Ireland , but the UK will not be immune to breezy conditions and showers. Beyond Friday and into the last weekend of October, the weather pattern remains highly changeable. The Jetstream is currently very amplified and wavy, which means that low pressure will dominate steering bands of showers across the UK. Whilst some areas may see some brighter drier periods many will see further heavy blustery showers. Further bands of rain or showers, some heavy, are likely to run east or northeast across many areas through Saturday. There will be some sunny or clear spells in between the showers. Another windy day is expected for many, again with the chance of coastal gales developing, at least for a time. It will be mild by night, but daytime temperatures are generally expected to be around normal for the time of year. Sunday will bring another day of sunshine and showers, with more rain moving in from the Atlantic by the evening. On the other side of the aforementioned ocean, millions of people are suffering at the hands of one of the most violent hurricanes on record for the region. So far, 25 lives have been lost in Haiti as a result of flash flooding from Hurricane Melissa, while tens of thousands of people were packed into shelters in Jamaica and Cuba on Wednesday. The catastrophic Category 5 storm is carrying top winds of 185mph. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Tom Crabtree, says a low-pressure system containing "the remnants of what will then be ex-Hurricane Melissa" will move across the far northwest of the UK early next week. "This appears to be a fairly typical autumn low-pressure system for the UK," he added. "It will introduce some milder air and bring further spells of rain, which will be heaviest over western hills. "There remains some uncertainty in the exact track of this low at this range, however it looks set to usher in further unsettled weather next week."
