80mph Storm Ciara threatens weekend of chaos and f loods
WINDS up to 80mph will batter Britain this weekend as Storm Ciara sweeps in threatening travel chaos and power cuts.
The huge weather system will “rudely barge in” from the west on Saturday evening with gales and torrential rain across the country.
The Met Office warned people could be in danger from flying debris whipped up by the strong winds while those by the sea were alerted to take extra care from big waves.
Meteorologists announced they had named the new storm yesterday.
In a tweet, they said: “#StormCiara has been named and will bring very unsettled weather across the UK through Saturday night and Sunday.”
They added that the whole of the UK would bear the brunt of the weather with the warning lasting until midnight on Sunday.
Risks
The storm is set to arrive after last month was revealed to have been one of the mildest Januarys on record.
Average temperatures were recorded in central England at 6.5C (43F) – some 2.7C above normal.
Forecaster Grahame Madge described Ciara yesterday as “rather rudely barging her way through, taking conditions from rather benign to very unsettled.
“There’s the potential for 80mph gusts in exposed locations across parts of the UK,” he added.
And he warned of the risks of coastal flooding, high winds across sea fronts as well as possible bridge and road closures. Mr Madge said: “We could also see some impact on networks, both phone and power.”
The warning also highlights the threat of nationwide travel chaos with gales lasting more than 24 hours.
The Met Office statement said: “Very strong winds may bring disruption to parts of the UK later this weekend.”
Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are expected with possible cancellation of services.
It added that coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities could be affected by spray and large waves while there was a small chance that some roads and bridges could be closed to traffic.
The forecasters added: “There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.”
Storm Ciara is the third named storm of the winter.
Barrage
It follows Storm Atiyah, which caused chaos across the country over December 8-9 and Storm Brendan, which brought strong winds and rain on January 13-14.
Brian Gaze, forecaster for The Weather Outlook, said: “February is more famous for snow than storms but computer models show an Atlantic barrage is on the way this month.
“Stormy conditions are possible at the start and end of the week, and again in the following week.”