Wind alert as storm hits Wales

AN AMBER weather warning for strong wind has been extended across Wales as Storm Doris hits the country.

Storm Doris is likely to cause travel disruption, damage buildings and send debris flying when it hits.

Much of the country has been told to expect gusts of up to 80mph today.

The amber warning covers Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Powys, Wrexham and Ceredigion.

A yellow warning for wind covers the rest of Wales.

The Met Office chief forecaster said: “There is still some uncertainty about the track of storm Doris, but increasing confidence that there will be widespread disruption across parts of England and Wales.”

The amber warning is more serious than its more usual yellow weather warning. The chief forecaster said previously: “A developing area of low pressure is expected to move across the UK on Thursday.

“A period of very strong winds are likely across the warning area with some disruption expected.

“However a small swathe of very strong winds could cause more widespread disruption across part of the warning area, which is covered by a separate amber warning.”

Meanwhile, up to 15cm of snow could fall across parts of Scotland and north-east England in treacherous, blizzard-like conditions.

“We have got a fairly active area of low pressure coming in from the Atlantic,” said Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples.

“It is strengthening as it moves eastwards to the UK.”

The Met Office’s amber weather warning alerts people that “whilst the strongest winds look to be only shortlived, damage to structures, interruptions to power supplies and widespread disruption to travel networks are likely, with a danger of injury from flying debris”.

Storm Doris is expected to move on quickly, with the worst of the weather gone by this evening.

While further Atlantic gusts will bring more rain and wind through the weekend and into next week, they are not expected to reach the heights of Doris.

AA spokesman John Snowling said: “The unpleasant combination of torrential rain, severe gales and heavy snow will create some very poor driving conditions, with the potential for roads to be affected by black ice, debris or standing water.

“Wind can also bring down tree branches, blow you off course or blow other vehicles into your path.

“Expect travel disruption as some roads will be treacherous.”

Storms with the potential to cause substantial impact are named by the Met Office and Met Eireann, moving through the alphabet. The first was named Abigail in November 2015, after members of the public suggested monikers for the “name our storms” project.

Forecasters are now in their second run through the alphabet. After Doris, Britons can expect to hear of Ewan, Fleur and Gabriel.

Storm Doris’s appearance contrasts with Monday’s temperatures, where visitors to Kew Gardens, west London, enjoyed the warmest day of the winter so far, at 18.3C (64.9F).

Parts of London and the south of England had temperatures warmer than Ibiza, southern Spain and Menorca.