BBC Weather has forecast wind speeds of up to 50mph to hit the UK as a powerful weather system moves across the continent towards Britain. The low-pressure weather system is expected to crash into Britain on Friday bringing “torrential” rainfall and thunderstorms. BBC Weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood said: “This morning the weather is fairly calm here in London, we have got blue skies, it’s breezy, it’s chilly as well. Related articles Weather forecast: Solar minimum could help SLOW climate change UK weather forecast: Sun returns to UK for brief 24-hour BURST “For most of us today we are looking at a forecast of sunshine and showers. But, some of the showers will be heavy and thundery. “We have also got some rain in the forecast, across northern Scotland and that is because low-pressure is dominating our weather. It’s been coming up from the continent…up the north sea. “Away from that rain in the north, we are looking at a mixture of bright spells, meaning there will be elements of cloud around. Also sunny spells and some showers. And some of the showers, as I have mentioned, heavy and thundery. “Better chance of staying dry in the southeast and not as wet as yesterday in Northern Ireland, when we had a month’s worth of rainfall in just 24-hours.” BBC Weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorms to hit UK on Friday (Image: BBC) Some torrential thundery showers for southern England and south Wales, with the wind strengthening BBC Weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood Heading into Thursday evening and into Friday, the BBC Weather forecaster warned of another weather system threatening to bring “torrential” downpours for much of the country. She said: “By the second part of the night we will be importing some heavy rain coming up from the near continent, from France, moving across southern England in through central, southern England as well, and also in through parts of Wales. And it is going to be blustery around this. “Into tomorrow that band of rain with high gusts will accompany it moving northwards eventually into parts of Northern Ireland and southern Scotland. “Ahead of it for the north, we are looking at a mixture of bright spells and some showers, behind it some torrential thundery showers for southern England and south Wales, with the wind strengthening. Related articles BBC News: Dan Walker met with SILENCE in Carol Kirkwood gaffe BBC Weather: 'NASTY' thunderstorms sweeping across Europe to BATTER UK “Strong gusts along the channels, especially the Channel Islands, and English Channel coast.” The BBC Weather forecaster added that on Saturday the rain would continue to move northwards leaving windy conditions of up to 50mph behind. The Met Office has also forecast a brutal weather system whipping across the country this week. Meteorologist Helen Roberts said: “Low-pressure and high temperatures across the near continent will lead to some very unstable air will at times pushing either into the UK or at least very close to us, particularly across eastern parts of the country. “There are three things going on which will affect our weather this week, the jet stream is very far to the north of the UK and allowing the unstable air up from the continent and we have low-pressure generally in charge. “There will be some pretty heavy and thundery downpours at times through the week, and we are almost certainly going to issue a warning for rain. “There could be a plume of warmer air associated with another low-pressure system due to arrive on Friday, however, temperatures will be subdued with the cloud cover, but it will be quite humid.” With the stormy conditions forecast, leading bookmakers have slashed odds to 6-4 on this month to end as the wettest June on record. Coral’s John Hill said: “It’s going to be a wet few days in the UK and as a result the odds have been slashed on this month ending as the wettest June on record”.All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility