The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for strong wind and rain in the Milton Keynes area later this week.

Warnings are in place for Thursday (23/10), when a low-pressure system is forecast to cross the UK, heralding unsettled weather in England and Wales.

The warning for heavy rain is in place between midnight and 9pm on October 23rd, while the corresponding warning for wind is in place from 9am on October 23rd until the end of the day.

Risk of heavy rain is in place for areas of southern and eastern parts of Britain.

Under the guidance, people are advised to look out for spray and flooding on roads leading to difficult driving conditions and increased chance of accidents, making journey times longer. People are also advised that public transport could be affected in places with some journey times taking longer and that flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely.

In addition, strong winds may cause travel disruption and some damage across eastern England during Thursday.

Under the yellow warning guidance by the Met Office, there is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs and there is a small chance that some roads and bridges could close.

The advice continues that there is a small chance of longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected, that there is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage, and that there is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris.

There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

Dan Harris, Deputy Chief Meteorologist with the Met Office, said in a statement that the weather is expected to arrive in different phases. Harris also advised that there was likely to be late-notice adjustments due to the nature of the unsettled weather.

Harris said, “Low pressure moving across the south of the UK on Thursday will bring both a spell of heavy rain and areas of strong winds.”

“The rain is expected to arrive from the southwest during Wednesday evening, before spreading northeast to many parts of England and Wales during Thursday, leading to difficult driving conditions and the risk of flooding in a few places. At the same time, winds are expected to pick up along south coastal areas in particular. However, it is not until Thursday morning that significantly strong northwesterly winds will first begin to affect parts of the west with gusts of 45 to 55 mph, locally 65mph around coasts expected. A little later, northerly winds are expected to develop more widely across eastern areas, most likely of similar strength, but there is a small chance of gusts in excess of 70mph should the low pressure system end up being at the stronger end of expectations.

“It is worth noting that there is a greater than usual uncertainty surrounding the track and intensity of this low-pressure system, so the public should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings as the situation evolves, with adjustments to the forecasts likely at short notice.”