The first storm of the season is preparing to hit the United Kingdom with gusts of up to 42 mph forecast for Penicuik.

After a summery start to September, Autumn is finally preparing to make its mark with torrential rain and strong gales. This Sunday 15 September, the MetOffice are warning of travel disruption and structural damage as autumnal rains barrage the town over an eight hour period.

Forecast to commence from 7am on Sunday, up to 9mm of rain is set to fall. Mix this moderate amount of rain with gusts of 42mph and it will be a very miserable start to the new week. Westerly winds however will keep temperatures around the norm however it will feel much cooler than of late.

Paul Gundersen, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said:

A spell of gale force westerly winds is expected later Sunday, peaking on Monday across much of Scotland, the north of Northern Ireland and coasts of northwest England and north Wales. Gusts of 50 – 60 mph are likely, with the potential for 70 mph across exposed coasts and hills of Scotland.

The public should be aware of the potential for some minor disruption to travel and keep up to date with the latest weather forecast information.

The weather front will pull away from the area throughout the day with persistent rain tempering to a few heavy showers with intermittent sunshine. Looking towards the coming days and the forecast shows that this unsettled theme is set to stay for at least the next week, with a threat of more substantial rain looking probable for next weekend too.

Stay up to date with the forthcoming weather using our new seven-day forecast at the bottom of our homepage.

The Penicuik Cuckoo’s winter weather alert Facebook page, “Let’s Keep Penicuik Moving this Winter” will return from early October.

[Image © Ho John Lee – Flickr]