Storm Freya is heading this way
WINDS of 60mph are set to batter the North East as Storm Freya approaches.
The Met Office has issued a yellow ‘be aware’ severe weather warning for wind, covering this region as well as the Midlands and much of the West of England.
The warning comes into force tomorrow afternoon, with potentially dangerous conditions lasting until Monday.
Experts at the Met Office say the storm will “bring very strong winds, with some travel disruption and possible dangerous conditions late Sunday and into Monday”.
Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible due to the strong gusts, as well as damage to buildings and trees.
Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible, and some bridges could close.
There is also a possibility of powercuts or an impact on mobile phone coverage.
High winds also cause particular danger near the coast, where injuries could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
A Met Office spokesperson said: “Storm Freya is expected to push quickly north-east across parts of England, Wales and southern Scotland through Sunday afternoon and evening, before clearing into the North Sea through the early part of Monday.
“Gusts of 55-65mph are likely widely, with the potential for gusts of 70-80 mph for coastal parts of Devon and Cornwall as well as Irish Sea coasts of Wales and north-west England.”
Freya is the sixth storm to be named this season, which began with Storm Ali in September 2018.
The latest was Storm Erik, on February 8 and 9 which brought strong gusts across the UK and Ireland - with the strongest gust of 86mph recorded at Capel Curig in North Wales.