80MPH STORM TO LASH BRITAIN
A HUGE Atlantic storm is set to unleash hurricane-force winds across Britain from tonight.
All areas face torrential rain and 50mph to 80mph gales with warnings of widespread flooding.
The Met Office has issued severe weather alerts across Britain with gales threatening to topple trees and damage buildings which could be a “danger to life”.
And Britain will be plunged back into the freezer this weekend. Bitter Arctic winds
will roar in on Saturday, pushing temperatures widely below freezing and triggering harsh frosts.
The mercury is likely to fall to -7C (19F) in the North by the weekend while other regions will shiver in temperatures close to freezing.
After a rainy start today savage gales will develop this evening when the storm brewing in the Atlantic smashes into the UK.
The Met Office severe weather warning for strong winds applies from tonight across southern Scotland and northern England.
Further alerts are in place tomorrow with the threat of powerful gusts across most of England and Wales.
Chief forecaster Andy Page said: “Strong and at times gusty winds are expected through much of Wednesday.”
“Combined with a period of high tides, it’s likely that some coastal communities and routes will be affected by spray and large waves.
“There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown on to sea fronts, roads and coastal properties along western and southern coasts.”
Plunge
Met forecaster Helen Roberts said: “Unstable air will bring gusts of widely 50 to 60mph with coastal regions likely to see 70mph – and we cannot rule out winds of up to 80mph in parts.”
The dire weather is being driven by extreme cold in the US where temperatures have plummeted to -37C (-34F).
Ms Roberts said: “The massive cold plunge across North America is strengthening the jet stream over Britain and this will pull low-pressure systems into the country.
“The stronger the jet the more likely it is to straighten and remain in the same position.
“Strong winds will set in on Thursday night and into Friday which will be another wet and blustery day.”
The Environment Agency has issued 56 flood alerts across the country with a more serious flood warning in central England.
A spokesman said: “The ground is saturated and responsive to further rainfall.
“Any flooding is expected to coincide with periods of high tide.
“Properties may flood and there may be travel disruption.
“Local coastal flooding is also possible for parts of the northeast and north-west coast during Wednesday and Thursday.
“Land, roads and some properties could flood.”
Dave Reynolds, forecaster for The Weather Channel UK, said: “We are going to remain in a very Atlantic regime and this will mean further unsettled conditions through this week.
“There will be a flood risk because as there is a lot of rain around and the ground is already saturated it will be unable to absorb any more. We are expecting some flooding as we have the right conditions for it.”
Carol Holt, Environment Agency flood duty manager, urged walkers and day-trippers not to take risks by going outside to take pictures during severe weather. She said: “Take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades, and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger trying to take ‘storm selfies’.
“Our frontline teams are on the ground checking defences and may close coastal flood gates this week.”
Tomorrow’s storm has been named Eleanor, the fifth so far this winter, following on from