Wet morning, drier evening, then more rain overnight
This morning bands of rain, heavy at times, move north-east across Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, then into the Lake District by late morning. Low cloud and hill fog are widespread. During the afternoon the rain becomes confined to east Lancashire, the Pennines and north-east Cumbria. Most places are dry by late afternoon, with some brightness in the south.
The evening is largely dry with clear spells. Later tonight rain is likely to spread north from Cheshire and Merseyside into southern and central parts, though the exact timing is uncertain. Cumbria should stay mostly dry overnight.
Highs reach 10C to 12C on the coast and 8C to 10C inland. Lows tonight are around 4C to 6C.
A fresh south-westerly wind brings gusts of 20 to 30 mph today, and a weather warning is in force. Exposed coasts and hills could see stronger gusts, possibly 40 mph or more. The wind eases this evening, then turns south-easterly and strengthens again near the coast overnight, ahead of a wet and windy Saturday.
