| TL;DR As of the morning of Thursday 15 October 2026, the Met Office shows no weather warnings in force for Thursday to Sunday.Wednesday’s yellow wind warning for north-west Scotland, with gusts of up to 70mph, has now expired.A band of rain is sinking south on Thursday night, followed by noticeably colder, fresher air from Friday.Yellow means be aware, amber means be prepared, and red means take action now because there is a risk to life.Flood warnings are separate from Met Office weather warnings and come from the Environment Agency, SEPA or Natural Resources Wales. |
There are currently no Met Office weather warnings in place anywhere in the UK for Thursday 15 October through to Sunday 18 October 2026, according to the Met Office warnings page. That follows a stormy Wednesday in north-west Scotland, where a yellow wind warning brought gusts of up to 70mph.
Warnings can be issued at short notice, so this page explains what is happening now, what is coming next, and how to read a warning when one is issued. We will update it when the picture changes.
Is There a Weather Warning Today?
No. The Met Office has no warnings in force for Thursday 15, Friday 16, Saturday 17 or Sunday 18 October 2026. This covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
| Day | Met Office warnings | What to expect |
| Thursday 15 October | None | Rain in the north and west, mild and dry in the south-east, rain spreading south overnight |
| Friday 16 October | None | Early rain clearing from eastern England, then fresher and brighter |
| Saturday 17 October | None | Cooler than earlier in the week |
| Sunday 18 October | None | Cooler, with chilly nights possible |
Status checked on the morning of 15 October 2026. Always check the Met Office for the latest position before you travel.
Wednesday’s Yellow Wind Warning in Scotland
The most recent warning was a yellow wind warning covering the Inner and Outer Hebrides and western parts of the Highlands on Wednesday 14 October. A deepening area of low pressure brought a severe gale and rain to the region.
- Gusts: 50 to 60mph widely, with around 70mph on exposed coasts and hills in the late morning and early afternoon.
- Areas affected: places including Ullapool, Portree and Stornoway, according to STV News.
- Disruption: delays to roads, air travel and CalMac ferries, plus risks to high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges.
- Power: Hebrides News reported that short power cuts were possible.
The winds eased from the west through the late afternoon and evening, and the warning has now ended. Across the Irish Sea, Met Éireann also issued yellow wind and rain warnings for Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Leitrim and Sligo, which ran until Thursday morning.
UK Weather Forecast: The Rest of the Week
The Met Office’s week-ahead forecast describes a changeable week ending with a clear shift to cooler conditions. The big story is the change in temperature rather than another warning.
Thursday: a north-south split
A weather front is moving slowly south. Scotland gets showers, a blustery breeze and fresher air. Rain reaches northern England, the Isle of Man, Anglesey and west Wales, with heavy bursts and strong winds possible along the front.
In contrast, London and the south-east stay mostly cloudy, dry and rather warm, with highs of around 21°C. A band of heavy rain then moves in overnight.
Friday and the weekend: turning colder
Friday may start wet across the East Midlands, East Anglia and south-east England, but the rain should clear. Behind it comes cooler, fresher air for everyone, with temperatures dropping noticeably compared with earlier in the week.
| Key Takeaway No warnings are expected this weekend, but it will feel much colder than recent days. Have warmer layers ready if you are heading out on Saturday or Sunday. |
What the Weather Warning Colours Mean
The Met Office uses three colours. The colour reflects both how likely the weather is and how serious its impact could be, not simply how extreme the weather itself will be.
| Colour | What it means | What you should do |
| Yellow | Severe weather is possible, often with low to medium impact such as travel delays | Be aware. Check the forecast and think about whether your plans could be affected |
| Amber | An increased chance of bad weather that could disrupt plans, with possible road and rail closures, power cuts and risk to life and property | Be prepared. Consider changing plans and take steps to protect yourself and your property |
| Red | Dangerous weather is expected, with a very likely risk to life and substantial disruption | Take action now to keep yourself and others safe, and follow advice from emergency services |
Source: Met Office warning guidance.
Why a yellow warning can matter more than it sounds
Many people ignore yellow warnings, but this is a mistake. The Met Office decides the colour using a grid that combines likelihood and impact. A yellow warning can mean a high chance of moderate disruption, such as the ferry cancellations seen in the Hebrides this week.
So the colour tells you how worried to be, but the text of the warning tells you what will actually happen where you are. Always read the details, not just the colour.
Types of Weather Warning in the UK
The Met Office issues warnings for rain, wind, snow, ice, fog, thunderstorms, lightning and extreme heat. In autumn, rain and wind warnings are the most common, often linked to Atlantic low-pressure systems like the one that hit Scotland this week.
Weather warnings and flood warnings are different
This is the point most weather pages skip. Met Office warnings tell you about the weather. Flood warnings come from separate agencies, depending on where you live:
| Nation | Who issues flood warnings |
| England | Environment Agency |
| Scotland | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) |
| Wales | Natural Resources Wales |
| Northern Ireland | Department for Infrastructure (flood alerts and information) |
You can have a flood warning with no weather warning in force, because rivers can keep rising for days after the rain has stopped. If you live near a river or the coast, check both.
When do storms get a name?
The Met Office names storms together with Met Éireann in Ireland and KNMI in the Netherlands. A storm is usually named when it is expected to bring amber or red warnings. This week’s Scottish gale only brought a yellow warning, which is why it was not given a name.
How to Check Weather Warnings for Your Area
- Met Office website and app. The official source. You can search by postcode and set up alerts for your area.
- Flood warning services. Sign up for free flood alerts from the Environment Agency, SEPA or Natural Resources Wales, depending on where you live.
- Travel operators. National Rail, Traffic Scotland, National Highways and ferry operators such as CalMac publish disruption updates during warnings.
- Your power network. Call 105 from any phone in Great Britain to report or get updates on a power cut.
What to Do When a Weather Warning Is Issued
Before you travel
- Check road conditions, timetables and ferry updates before setting off, as the Met Office advises during wind warnings.
- Allow extra time, and consider delaying non-essential journeys during amber or red warnings.
- Take care on exposed roads and bridges, especially if you drive a high-sided vehicle or tow a caravan.
At home
- Secure garden furniture, bins and trampolines before strong winds arrive.
- Charge phones and power banks, and keep a torch handy in case of power cuts.
- Clear gutters and drains where it is safe, so heavy rain can drain away.
Never do this
- Do not drive or walk through floodwater. Just 30cm of moving water can be enough to float a car.
- Do not go near coastal paths, sea walls or piers in strong winds to watch the waves.
Can You Be Told to Go to Work During a Weather Warning?
Generally, yes. There is no automatic legal right to stay home or to be paid if bad weather stops you getting to work. What happens depends on your contract and your employer’s policy.
Many employers allow home working, flexible hours or using annual leave on severe weather days. If your employer closes the workplace itself, you would normally still be paid. If you are unsure, check your contract or speak to your employer before the warning comes into force. Acas offers free advice on workplace rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a weather warning today?
No. As of the morning of 15 October 2026, the Met Office has no warnings in force for Thursday to Sunday.
What was the last weather warning in the UK?
A yellow wind warning for the Hebrides and western Highlands on Wednesday 14 October 2026, with gusts of up to 70mph.
What does a yellow weather warning mean?
A yellow warning means severe weather is possible and could cause some disruption. You should check the forecast and be aware of how it could affect your plans.
What is worse, amber or red?
Red is the most serious warning. It means dangerous weather is expected and there is very likely a risk to life.
Will it be cold this weekend?
Yes. Fresher, cooler air spreads across the UK from Friday, so the weekend will feel noticeably colder than earlier in the week.
Who issues flood warnings?
The Environment Agency in England, SEPA in Scotland, Natural Resources Wales and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. These are separate from Met Office weather warnings.
How do storms get named?
The Met Office, Met Éireann and KNMI name storms that are expected to bring amber or red warnings to the UK, Ireland or the Netherlands.
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