Strong winds reaching speeds of up to 50 mph are expected to hit Stoke-on-Trent today as blustery weather arrives ahead of schedule. A weather warning for wind has been issued for Sunday across Staffordshire, but the gusty conditions have swept in early. The Met Office predicts that North Staffordshire will experience winds around 50 mph today, February 21. Across the UK, yellow alerts for wind and rain are in effect for parts of Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
Meteorologists attribute the dramatic shift from this week’s earlier cold spell to milder, windier conditions to an influx of Atlantic air from the west. This air mass is delivering what forecasters call “impactful weather,” including strong winds and rain. Steve Willington, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, explained: “We’re transitioning from a cold easterly pattern to milder westerly conditions, and the Atlantic air is bringing potentially disruptive weather. Over the next few days, successive weather fronts will carry strong winds and rain bands across the UK, with a risk of low to medium impacts, especially in western areas later this weekend.”
He added, “Weather warnings are in place to alert people to possible travel disruptions, hazardous coastal conditions, and potential power outages. Temperatures are also climbing significantly, possibly reaching 16C in sheltered spots east and north of high ground today and Friday—well above the seasonal average.”
Nationwide, gusts could reach 70 mph in some areas today. In North Staffordshire, the Met Office forecasts winds peaking at 50 mph in the early afternoon, easing to 31 mph by 4 pm. Overnight, speeds will drop into the teens and continue to decline on Saturday. Tomorrow promises a dry, calmer day with highs of 12C, though it may feel closer to 10C at times.
On Sunday, however, a yellow weather warning will take effect from 6 am to 6 pm. Winds in the Potteries could hit 48 mph, accompanied by a full day of rain.
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