Stormy winds will bring (some of us) a little light relief
It is the start of many schools’ halfterm week and with a weary inevitability we are suffering our second named storm of the autumn. Perhaps it is memories of the classroom, but “Brian” conjures for me an image of a slow-moving snail in a cheery orange scarf in the Magic Roundabout. Storm Brian, though, has been busy battering its way through Ireland, the west of England, Wales and – still this morning – the north and west of Scotland, with winds of 60mph and plenty of rain. In such conditions a scarf, I fear, is of little use.
Today remains blustery, with the best of any sunshine in more sheltered eastern parts, and temperatures down a few notches on last week. So expect 57F (14C) in the South East, 55F (13C) in the Midlands and Wales, and 53F (12C) in the central belt of Scotland. And, as evening sets in, so will more rain, crossing the country west to east.
Monday will start brightly in the north and west of England, but could turn stormy later, though not enough to earn a name. In the south the mercury will rise towards 62F (17C). This north/west – south/east bias will remain for the week. On one side of the diagonal slash across the country the weather will be dominated by winds from the Atlantic, blowing in rain and cool air. On the other, there will be more stable, mild conditions.
If you’ve been lashed by the wind and have had your half term ruined, then it is not all gloom. Off the coast of Peterhead in Scotland, the world’s first wind farm of floating turbines has begun operating. The blades will spin away all weekend as they turn to take advantage of the winds, and so should generate sufficient electricity to keep the lights on in 20,000 homes.