Boxing Day weather warning issued for Preston and Lancashire as Storm Bella arrives

Storm clouds over Preston Docks Pic: Tony Worrall

Preston and Lancashire is set for a wild and wet Boxing Day weekend.

Storm Bella is sweeping in and the Met Office has issued weather warnings.

A heavy rain alert is in force from 6pm on Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December) through until 9am on Sunday (27 December).

Strong winds are due to start earlier on Boxing Day, from around 3pm.

Here’s the latest weather forecast for Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Evening – we’re set for a cold one, temperatures fall to below freezing from 8pm onwards.

Christmas Day

Morning – let’s hope Santa had his thermals, -3 degrees at 6am as we all awake and reach for our stockings. Temperatures move above freezing from 10am onwards and there’s a chance of some sunshine.

Afternoon – Overcast and temperatures of 4 degrees.

Evening – Clouds over and a small chance of rain, temperatures increase throughout the evening up to 7 degrees by 10pm.

See the latest weather forecast near you

Boxing Day

Morning – A 20 per cent chance of rain, overcast and the wind is starting to pick up

Afternoon – Heavy rain begins from 1pm onwards and by 4pm we’re seeing 40mph gusts

Evening – Heavy rain throughout the night and winds reach 43mph

Sunday 27 Dec

Morning – A sleety morning, icy showers and thre wind starts to drop off

Afternoon – The sun breaks through the showers from 1pm onwards

Evening – A calmer evening, after some more sleet showers, temperatures down at 2 degrees