Sunshine turns to rain: a wet and windy Thursday afternoon ahead
After a bright and mostly dry start, cloud thickens from the west this morning, with rain spreading across the North West by early afternoon. Some of the rain will be heavy, especially over Cumbria and north Lancashire, and it will feel blustery everywhere with the strongest winds on coasts and hills.
The heaviest rain clears eastwards this evening, leaving a few showers near Irish Sea coasts before it turns drier overnight with some clearer spells. A milder night than last night, with lows of around 11C to 13C.
Highs of 17C to 19C, coolest on exposed coasts and the fells. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph are likely inland this afternoon, reaching 35 to 45 mph on exposed coasts and high ground, easing gradually tonight.
