If you're just waking up we recommend you don't open the curtains, it's not pretty out there!...

As forecast earlier in the week the very unsettled conditions at the end of the week have arrived in true style. A huge area of moderate and heavy rain is now slowly progressing northwards across all parts of England and Wales. Some very heavy rain is in evidence across parts of southwest England and Wales.

The unsettled conditions are expected to persist throughout the coming weekend. The low pressure is set to grind to a halt over England this weekend with persistent rain expected over Northern England leading to a risk of some localized flooding here. Elsewhere a mixture of sunshine and showers are expected with perhaps one or two thunderstorms as well.

With some strong winds as at times temperatures will be depressed and it will feel rather cool. All in all a weekend for certainly getting those indoor jobs done!...

Despite the weather, have a great weekend from everyone at Metcheck.

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The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season continues to steam ahead with significant vigor. After the Gulf coast was spared the worst of Hurricane Gustav, a lot of people across parts of the southeast of the US are looking towards the east and southeast.

Next on the cards is the arrival of tropical storm Hanna to parts of the Carolinas. This particular feature has been struggling in recent days to really get going and at the moment is likely to move into the US as a tropical storm rather than a hurricane.

However if it’s further east that concerns many, Hurricane Ike has been heading towards the west for the last couple of days as a highly dangerous category 4 hurricane. This hurricane isn't particularly large but the wind speeds have been exceptionally strong with gusts of up to 160mph.

The current track of Ike takes the hurricane through the Bahamas before a potential turn towards the northwest into Florida. Given the conditions ahead of Ike are favorable for maintaining hurricane status at the moment parts of the Bahamas and Florida are at risk of a major, Category 3 hurricane slamming into their shores within 3 to 5 days.

All in all, the coming weeks of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season could be potentially very dangerous indeed…

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