Storm Arwen in Blackpool: Friday's hour-by-hour weather forecast as Fylde Coast braces for gale force winds

The storm is forecast to bring a weekend of very strong winds and cold weather to the UK, with Blackpool braced for a particularly blustery Friday.

There might be some sunny spells in the morning, but the Met Office says it will be mostly wet and windy throughout the day, with blustery showers and strong gusts later on.

Gale force winds are likely, says the forecaster, with the wildest winds expected between 4pm and 8pm, when gusts of up to 65mph could sweep along the coast.

The Christmas skating rink on the Tower Festival Headland has confirmed it will stay shut this Friday evening due to the high winds, say organisers.

Met Office Meteorologist Dan Suri said: "Storm Arwen's impacts are mainly associated with high winds and it will likely bring gusts of up to 65mph in some coastal areas.

"It brings with it the risk of disruption to travel, power cuts and potential damage, especially within the amber area and near the coasts, where large waves could see material thrown on to coastal roads, sea fronts and properties."

Here is the hour-by-hour forecast for Blackpool and Fylde today (Friday, November 26) from 9am to midnight...

9am - Strong winds and light rain showers / 8°C (feels like 5°C) and 32% chance of rain

10am - Strong winds and sunny intervals / 8°C (feels like 5°C) and 16% chance of rain

11am - Strong winds and sunny intervals / 8°C (feels like 5°C) and 13% chance of rain

12pm - Strong winds and sunny intervals / 8°C (feels like 5°C) and 8% chance of rain

1pm - Strong winds and sunny intervals / 8°C (feels like 4°C) and 3% chance of rain

2pm - Strong winds and sunny intervals / 8°C (feels like 3°C) and 1% chance of rain

3pm - Strong winds and sunny intervals / 7°C (feels like 3°C) and 1% chance of rain

4pm - Gusty winds and partly cloudy / 7°C (feels like 2°C) and 2% chance of rain

5pm - Gusty winds and partly cloudy / 6°C (feels like 2°C) and 5% chance of rain

6pm - Gusty winds and partly cloudy / 6°C (feels like 2°C) and 12% chance of rain

7pm - Gusty winds and partly cloudy / 6°C (feels like 1°C) and 23% chance of rain

8pm - Strong winds and light rain showers / 6°C (feels like 1°C) and 34% chance of rain

9pm - Strong winds and light rain showers / 6°C (feels like 1°C) and 44% chance of rain

10pm - Strong winds and light rain showers / 6°C (feels like 1°C) and 55% chance of rain

11pm - Strong winds and light rain showers / 5°C (feels like 0°C) and 64% chance of rain

12am - Strong winds and light rain showers / 5°C (feels like -1°C) and 64% chance of rain

It is thanks to our loyal readers that we can continue to provide the trusted news, analysis and insight that matters to you.

For unlimited access to our unrivalled local reporting, you can take out a subscription HERE and help support the work of our dedicated team of reporters.