Residents across Salford and Greater Manchester are being warned of a sharp change in weather conditions this Easter weekend, as Storm Dave is set to bring strong winds, heavy rain and colder temperatures to parts of the UK.
After a largely dry and bright Thursday, conditions will turn increasingly unsettled heading into Good Friday, with rain spreading eastwards across much of the country. While the worst of the storm is expected further north, Salford is still likely to see blustery conditions and spells of rain as the system moves through.
Forecasters say Storm Dave will rapidly intensify on Saturday as it approaches from the Atlantic, bringing the most severe conditions to Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales and northern England from Saturday evening into Sunday.
Yellow weather warnings for strong winds have been issued across large parts of northern Britain, with gusts of 50–60mph expected widely, and 60–70mph possible in more exposed areas. The strongest winds are forecast in Scotland, where gusts could briefly reach 80–90mph in coastal and elevated locations.
Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said the storm will “rapidly deepen” as it nears the UK, warning that winds will strengthen significantly through Saturday afternoon before spreading across northern regions overnight.
Alongside the strong winds, parts of northern Scotland are expected to see heavy snowfall, particularly over higher ground, where 5–10cm is likely, and up to 20cm possible in some areas. Combined with the wind, this could lead to blizzard conditions and drifting snow.
What it means for Salford
While most of Greater Manchester will avoid the most extreme impacts, residents in Salford can still expect a wet and breezy weekend, particularly on Saturday night into Sunday. Gusty winds and passing rain could lead to minor travel disruption and difficult conditions for those heading outdoors.
Good Friday will see rain move across the region before clearer but cooler conditions follow, with a noticeable drop in temperatures into the weekend.
Easter Monday outlook
Conditions are expected to improve slightly by Easter Monday, with a brief spell of more settled weather. It will remain fairly cloudy, but brighter intervals are likely to develop, especially later in the day.
Looking ahead
The unsettled pattern looks set to continue into next week, with further bands of cloud and rain moving in from the west. Temperatures are expected to remain around average for the time of year.
Residents are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and take precautions ahead of the windy conditions, particularly if travelling or planning outdoor activities over the Easter weekend.
