Greater Manchester, along with much of England and Wales, is bracing for a significantly unsettled weekend characterized by heavy rain and strong winds. Following a sudden thunderstorm that caused flash flooding on Thursday, September 11, the Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for wind, effective from Sunday night through most of Monday.

The weather across Greater Manchester will see a mixed start to Friday with sunny intervals, though showers are expected to develop by midday and continue until approximately 4pm. A dry early evening will precede the return of showers around 8pm, intensifying overnight with the heaviest rain forecast between 2am and 4am. Saturday will begin with easing rain and sunny intervals in the morning, followed by an extensive 11-hour period of showers throughout the afternoon and evening, peaking in intensity around 4pm. While the wet weather is expected to clear around 11pm, the possibility of further overnight rain remains.

Sunday is anticipated to bring the most severe conditions of the weekend. Early risers might enjoy clear, sunny skies around 7am, but clouds will quickly gather. Light rain is expected by 11am, progressing to heavy rain between midday and 3pm. Further light rain and showers are forecast into the evening, before dry, cloudy conditions set in around 7pm. The Met Office's yellow wind warning will come into force at 8pm on Sunday, lasting until 6pm on Monday.

The wind warning, which was expanded on Friday morning to include most of England and Wales (excluding the far north of the Lake District and north-east), predicts significant disruption. Wind gusts of 45 to 55mph are expected inland, while exposed coastal and hilly areas could experience winds reaching 60-70mph, with some forecasts suggesting up to 80mph in the most exposed locations. These strong winds could lead to delays in public transport and on roads, large waves affecting coastal areas, and a slight risk of injuries or danger to life from flying debris. Short-term power cuts are also possible.

On Monday morning, showers will persist overnight from Sunday, turning to light rain from 3am and becoming heavier as the morning progresses. Heavy rain and heavy showers are currently forecast between 7am and 11am, with lighter showers expected for the remainder of the day and into Tuesday. Wind gusts of up to 48mph are specifically anticipated in Greater Manchester around 1pm on Monday.

Despite widespread speculation, the Met Office has indicated that the weather system is currently not expected to be named as Storm Amy. Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen stated on Thursday that while a deepening area of low pressure over the North Atlantic was being monitored, a named storm was unlikely. Met Office spokespersons Grahame Madge and Graham Madge reiterated on Friday that there was