Come Helene or high water... deadly storm set to bring new chaos
SCOTLAND is braced for a battering by 80mph winds and downpours as the tail of a powerful hurricane slams into the UK.
Danger-to-life warnings have been issued for Monday by the Met Office as Storm Helene, named by the US National Hurricane Center, barrels in.
But the calm before the storm is likely to see balmy temperatures this weekend as the weather system pushes in from the tropics.
Storm Helene formed in the Azores earlier this week before taking an unusual turn north-east towards Britain.
It means that areas such as Aberdeen could see highs of 22C (72F) tomorrow and early Monin day. The deep low pressure system will then dump considerable rain on South-west Scotland, Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway and the Lothians and Borders.
A yellow Met Office warning for severe weather advises people to take care during the storm as ‘injury and danger to life from flying debris is possible’.
Forecaster Nicky Maxey said: ‘There will always be a danger to life if objects are picked up and thrown around in these kind of winds. We have issued a warning which covers the south and western parts of Scotland expected to be at greatest risk.
‘Helene will bring winds of 5565mph and gusts of up to 80mph
‘Flying debris danger to life’
exposed locations. However, there is still a bit of uncertainty over the exact track this low pressure will take. Warning areas may be refined as we get closer to the point of impact.’
Road, rail, air and ferry services are expected to be affected, with delays and cancellations likely.
The official warning runs from 6pm on Monday until noon on Tuesday, but high winds are expected before then. Fallen trees are likely to pose an additional hazard.
Because the storm will break with trees still in leaf, it could prove to be a case of irresistible force meets immovable object, with branches torn off and trunks uprooted.
The Met Office has also warned the public to be prepared for power cuts and interruptions to mobile phone services.
The current track of the storm suggests Helene will quickly pass Scotland on Tuesday, before heading for the North Sea by late afternoon.
Coastal flooding is not believed to be an issue thanks to low tides across much of the country.
After a recent touch of frost, night temperatures will be noticeably higher over the next few days, with the mercury hovering around 16C (61F) in Glasgow.
And during the day, it will feel markedly warmer than normal for the middle of September.
Aberdeen’s balmy spell is set to continue on Monday with temperatures around 20C (68F).
It is 60 years since the last Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the eastern seaboard of the United States.
It struck in September 1958 and caused damage estimated at $11.2million – $50million (£38million) in today’s money.