Exact date weather maps turn scary red as 75mph gusts loom off UK coast

The mercury topped 16C on Monday in the UK, the Met Office data says but temperatures threaten to tumble in the coming days as a band of low pressure moves eastwards

This striking weather map shows a dark red hue around the UK - as wind gusts threaten to exceed 75mph.

The monster gales will arrive on Friday as a band of low pressure barrels in from the west, forecasters say. It means temperatures will fall across the UK, following highs of 16C on the Isles of Scilly and Aberporth, west Wales on Monday. It's likely the mercury will struggle to reach 12C on Friday across south Wales and Southwest of England.

The weather map, issued by forecasters at Ventusky, show the band of pressure move dangerously close to the Cornwall and Devon coastlines. When it does make land, wind speeds will drop - but still likely to reach 50mph across Devon on Friday afternoon.

Writing on its website, the Met Office says: "Starting settled on Thursday, but gradually turning wetter and windier from the west into Friday." The service understands the windy conditions will remain throughout the weekend, the final one of October.

It continues: "Temperatures likely closer to average than of late with an often brisk westerly flow bringing systems in from the Atlantic. Some longer spells of rain may spread erratically southeastwards across parts of the UK at the start of the weekend, especially in the north and perhaps accompanied by windy conditions."

More than 45mm of rain fell across the Scottish Highlands on Monday, the Met Office's statistics show. It rained heavily across other parts of the country too, despite the mild temperatures.

Nine flood warnings - all for various points along the River Severn - are in place for England. These concern areas from Apperley, Gloucestershire in the south to Pitchcroft, Worcester in the north. In relation to points in Worcester, the Environment Agency says: "River levels are falling but remain high at the Diglis (Worcester) river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, the risk of flooding remains.

"We expect flooding to affect properties at Quay Street, South Quay, Diglis Avenue and Hood Street. Properties also affected at Pitchcroft Lane, Waterworks Road, and Newport Street, Worcester." There are no flood warnings in place for Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.