Scotland 's bright autumn days are set to be swept away by the end of this week, as parts of the country will see "strong" gale force winds and heavy rain.
The Met Office warned that the weather is a result of the after effects of hurricane Ian, which is set to hit parts of Florida in the US this Wednesday. This stormy weather will begin in the northwest before gradually moving southwards.
On Thursday there will be some sunny spells with scattered showers before the jet stream, strengthened by the warm tropical air pushed northwards by the category four storm, sweeps an area of low pressure across the UK on Friday.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Chris Almond, said: “This will bring a much wetter and windier spell than we’ve seen so far this autumn, but nothing that is unusual for the time of year.
“The fast-moving system will bring strong gale force winds, locally in excess of 60mph and heavy rain into the northwest before pushing quickly southeast through the day.
"We could see some minor impacts, such as surface water flooding or minor wind damage, as well as some short-lived impacts on ferry crossings, especially in exposed areas of western Scotland and eastern areas of Northern Ireland.
"Later in the day, parts of southeast England could experience winds of around 55mph, which may impact the English Channel too.”
As the weather begins to cool, there will be increased risk factors when on the road as the changing weather can impact travel. Andy Butterfield, Customer Services Director for Operations at National Highways, said: “It’s always a good idea to plan your journey in advance which is particularly important if you are travelling on routes you are not familiar with.
“Checking the weather forecast before you travel can help you determine whether it might be worth delaying a journey if bad weather is forecast or at the very least to understand the traffic conditions.”
Before getting behind the wheel, drivers should also make sure that their vehicle is winter ready so they will stay safe while driving through the colder months.
Such checks drivers can make include ensuring tyres are road safe, that headlights are working and that engine coolant levels are at the right amount. These will not only keep motorists safe, as those who fail to do so also risk racking up hefty fines.
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