After a sodden start to September, Britain looks to the Atlantic again. A deepening low threatens plans, travel and late summer moods.
Forecasters say the first proper autumn blow could arrive within days. Computer models point to a fast-evolving North Atlantic system that may bring heavy rain and strong winds late in the weekend and into Monday. The Met Office has not named a storm, yet the first list entry, Amy, sits ready if impacts and warning thresholds are met.
What the Met Office is saying
Met Office guidance flags a spell of unsettled weather spreading across the UK from midweek. Monday and Tuesday look the most usable days for outdoor jobs and school runs. From Wednesday, showers spread and winds freshen. Saturday brings sunshine and showers, with a risk of heavier rain pushing into southern counties later.
Into Saturday night and early Sunday, confidence grows in a period of widespread rain and strengthening winds. Early signals focus the strongest gusts and most persistent rain over northern parts, although the precise track determines who sees the worst conditions. The agency’s deputy chief meteorologist, Tom Crabtree, said teams are monitoring the developing low and will update forecasts as model agreement improves.
The Met Office has not declared Storm Amy. Current indications favour heavy rain and strong winds late Sunday into Monday, with the north most exposed.
Why storm Amy matters
Storm names help people recognise hazardous weather quickly. For 2025–26, the Met Office invited the public to submit suggestions, with thousands responding. “Amy” heads the list after proving the most popular female name. A name will only be used when impacts look likely to trigger weather warnings, often for strong winds, heavy rain or both, in concert with partners in Ireland and the Netherlands.
How a storm gets its name
- Meteorologists assess the depth and track of Atlantic lows.
- They judge potential impacts to people, infrastructure and travel.
- If warnings appear likely, the next name on the list is assigned to drive clear communication.
- Names are not used for every blustery day; only impactful systems are named.
What to expect day by day
| Day | Headline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Briefly calmer | Brighter spells, passing showers; lighter winds for many. |
| Tuesday | Still usable | Similar mix; cool mornings, fresher feel, patchy rain in the west. |
| Wednesday–Friday | Turning more unsettled | Bands of rain move east; wind picks up, especially near coasts and hills. |
| Saturday | Sunshine and showers | Brief bright breaks; risk of heavier rain working into the south later. |
| Sat night–Sunday | Heavy rain risk | Periods of rain becoming widespread; chance of thunder, stronger gusts. |
| Monday | Lingering impacts | Further showers and brisk winds, with the north more exposed. |
Where could see the worst of it
Current projections put northern areas at greater risk of strong winds and prolonged rain if the low tracks slightly north of the UK. A more southerly path would pull heavier rain across England and Wales. Upland routes in Scotland and northern England could turn very wet, with crosswinds on exposed roads and bridges. Coastal fringes, especially in the north and west, may see rougher seas and local spray.
Soils are already wet. The Environment Agency reports the wettest week in seven months, with more than 35 mm recorded between 27 August and 2 September in the North West, South East and South West. That load of recent rainfall reduces the capacity of ground to absorb further downpours.
Seven months’ wettest week has primed the ground. Where more than 35 mm fell last week, surface water can build quickly when new bands of rain arrive.
Travel, events and daily life: what you can do now
- Check the latest local forecast each morning from Wednesday onwards.
- Secure lightweight garden furniture and bins before Saturday night.
- Clear leaves from drains and doorstep gullies to aid runoff.
- Plan flexible travel for Sunday and Monday; allow time for slower roads.
- Avoid driving through floodwater; shallow depths can hide hazards.
- Charge devices and keep torches handy in case of brief outages in exposed spots.
- For coastal walks, re-check tide times and wind direction before setting out.
Understanding the uncertainty
Small shifts in the low’s track make big differences at street level. A 100–200 km change decides whether the strongest gradient winds brush the Northern Isles or clip northwest England. Timing also matters. An overnight passage limits disruption for some, while a Sunday daytime arrival hits events and travel flows.
Forecast confidence usually firms up 48–72 hours ahead. Expect clearer guidance by late week, including any weather warnings if they become necessary. Until then, treat long-range app icons with caution and focus on trends rather than exact rainfall totals.
Signals to watch
- Pressure falls in the North Atlantic and a tightening pressure gradient west of Scotland.
- Successive model runs aligning on a Sunday–Monday window for peak impacts.
- Any yellow wind or rain warnings, which signal a higher chance of disruption.
- Reports of thunderstorms embedded in rain bands, boosting localised downpours.
Beyond the weekend
The broader pattern keeps the jet stream pointing at the UK, favouring further changeable spells into mid-September. That does not mean a washout every day. Windows of brightness appear between bands of rain, especially in the south and east. Northern and western hills stay on the wetter, windier side of the split.
Extra context that helps you plan
Frontal rain covers many counties for hours, while short, punchy showers can unleash intense bursts in minutes. With recent totals already high, short-lived heavy showers can trigger surface water issues just as readily as a long spell of steady rain. Urban areas with blocked drains feel this most quickly.
If the system earns the name Amy, expect clearer messaging from forecasters and transport operators. Naming does not mean the storm is stronger than past autumn lows; it signals an increased risk of impacts. The advantage for you is better, earlier communication so weekend choices—gardening, sport, long drives—can adapt before the weather arrives.
Is this finally Storm Amy or just another windy weekend? 🙂
After the wettest week in seven months and 35mm in places, our street drains are already struggling. If the low deepens, surface water could build fast. I’ll clear the gullies and tie down the bins, but school runs Monday might be messy. Really appriciate the practical tips—charge devices, check tides, all that. Any updated flood maps by Friday would be super helpful, as the ground’s basically saturated and can’t absord much more.