Storm wreaks havoc as gales rage in at 90mph
MUCH of Britain spent yesterday clearing a trail of destruction left by a vicious storm which swept the nation.
Gusts of more than 90mph toppled trees, knocked out power supplies and threw transport networks into chaos.
There was also heavy snow across Scotland and northern England.
Drivers faced long delays through the morning as storm debris littered roads and motorways around the country.
Tens of thousands of households in Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk were left without power while schools were forced to close.
Flights from airports were delayed and hurricane-force winds and dangerous sea conditions led to ferry services being cancelled.
Bitter
Britain’s settle this winds will North.
Temperatures will nosedive below freezing around the country with lows of -10C (14F) likely in parts.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for snow across Scotland today with an ice alert for south-west England, Wales and the west coast.
Forecaster Oli Claydon said: “We are back into a polar maritime airflow with further heavy wintry showers expected in northern and western regions.
“The start of the weekend will be dry and quite nice in many places before another front edges in on Saturday night bringing rain widely and more snow in parts.
“There could be further warnings for weather is forecast to weekend although bitter bring more snow to the snow issued for Sunday as showery conditions push into cold air over the country.”
Temperatures will nudge back into double figures next week as milder air arrives from the west, he said.
He added: “From Tuesday it is looking like it will turn milder and we could see temperatures in double figures.
“However, it will feel chilly this weekend although without the strong winds it won’t feel quite as cold as it has done.” Wild weather ripped through Britain on Wednesday night as a deep low-pressure system tore in from the Atlantic.
Commuters faced widespread disruption on the railways with delays and cancellations reported across the country.
Engineers had restored power to 130,000 households by yesterday evening although 24,600 homes and businesses were still without power.
West Midlands Fire Service said there were no injuries after a brick gable blew off a house in Stoke Heath, Coventry.
A tree toppled at the Jesus College grounds at Cambridge University and a man in a car in nearby Waterbeach was injured by falling branches.
The victim, in his 60s, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where he was in a serious but stable condition.
Winds touched 93mph at Capel Curig in Snowdonia with 83mph gusts recorded in Norfolk and 63mph in London.