Batten down the hatches as Storm Doris to strike
ONE of the most severe storms to hit Wales this winter is likely to bring an end to a week which began with record-breaking warmth in many parts of Wales.
Forecasters have named the fourth winter storm of the season – accompanied by an amber warning for wind for northern parts of the country.
Much of the rest of Wales has been given a less severe yellow warning for wind as Storm Doris batters the country tomorrow.
The unsettled weather could hardly contrast more starkly with the benign conditions seen in many areas of the country on Monday.
Temperatures reached nearly 17C in Flintshire and Denbighshire as tropical Atlantic air swept in. The average for the time of year is around 8C.
Some places in England saw temperatures higher than those in the Balearic Islands.
Visitors to Kew Gardens, west London, enjoyed the warmest day of the winter so far, at 18.3C (64.9F).
Now, a deep area of low pressure is developing in the Atlantic and communities across Wales have been warned to prepare for strong winds.
A Met Office warning said: “Whilst the strongest winds look to be only short-lived, damage to structures, interruptions to power supplies and widespread disruption to travel networks are likely, with a danger of injury from flying debris.
“Heavy rain is also likely through Thursday, as well as some snow over high ground as the system clears eastwards. These may prove additional hazards.”
The amber warning covers a large part of North Wales.
Most of the rest of the country is covered by a less severe yellow warning, which forecasts weaker gusts of around 50 to 60mph.
The Met Office chief forecaster said: “A developing area of low pressure is expected to move across the UK on Thursday.
“The exact timing and track of this system remain uncertain but there is potential for a short-lived core of very strong winds to develop.”
The amber warning covers Flintshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham, and Powys.
The less severe yellow warning covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Powys, Wrexham, Monmouthshire and Pembrokeshire.
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.
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.
The forecasters are now in their second run of the alphabet – after Doris, Britons can expect to hear of Storms Ewan, Fleur and Gabriel.