Weather systems queue up across Atlantic - Named storm may join the party

In what is often an unsettled windy period, we'll be seeing three bouts of showery rain crossing the country in the next few days, with the third moving in during Friday being the most potent. This depression could end up as a named storm (Darragh) as it deepens, but its track, probably through southern parts, remains a little uncertain at this stage. Beforehand, gales are likely overnight and into Thursday across the North. Met Office warnings  have already been issued to cover both periods.

Wednesday afternoon stays dry in eastern parts, but with cloud increasing. It's already wet over Northern Ireland and in the West, spreading to all parts during the evening. The rain will be showery in nature, with heavier bursts within it mainly in the North. Clearer weather follows from the West overnight, but it'll probably be after dawn before this finally clears East Anglia and the South East.

A South West wind becomes fresh, with gales across the North and West of Scotland giving gusts of 50 to 60mph for a time. It may turn chilly towards dawn over East Scotland, but for many, expect a mild night, with temperatures remaining in double figures towards the South East and South.

Once any early rain has cleared the South East, Thursday begins bright in the North and East. But the second bout of showery rain will already be moving into the South West, giving Northern Ireland, Wales, much of England and probably southern Scotland another spell of showery rain through the day. Again, there'll be heavier bursts mixed in, while the northern half of Scotland sees a day of bright spells and showers that'll be heavy and blustery locally and across the Highlands and the far North.

There could be lighter breezes over central Scotland for a while but for most, a South or South Westerly wind will become fresh or strong, with gales still likely over the North and North West of Scotland. It'll be mild generally, very mild in the South, with top temperatures 7 to 9C in the North and 12 to 14C in the South.

The rain quickly moves away to the East through the evening, leaving clearer skies overnight. A West to North Westerly wind however will still be quite blustery, bringing a scattering of showers chiefly to the northern half of the country that may turn wintry over the Scottish mountains. Although turning somewhat colder with a grass frost possible towards dawn in a few well-sheltered places, temperatures generally shouldn't fall below 3 to 7C.

A transient ridge on Friday gives a finer day with some winter sunshine, but a developing depression bringing a third bout of wet weather will be moving into the South West during the afternoon. This could bring heavy rain and gales particularly to the southern half of the country depending on its track. More about this though in the next few days.