April (heavy) showers
...with 60mph winds – oh, and the hottest temperatures of the year
STORM Kathleen is set to bring misery to millions this weekend with 60mph winds – while others bask in the hottest temperatures of this year.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind from 8am to 10pm today for parts of western Britain and Northern Ireland, as the 11th named storm of 2024 arrives.
Drivers were urged to avoid coastal areas and higher routes due to heavy downpours.
Some roads and bridges may close, while trains and ferries may also be affected, the Met Office said last night.
An update warned of danger to life from large waves and beach material being hurled on to seafronts, coast roads and homes.
Yesterday, huge waves swamped the promenade at Saltdean, East Sussex.
There could also be cuts to power and mobile phone coverage, experts warned.
However, on the other side of the country, the mercury is expected to soar to more than 20C in some areas.
East Anglia and the South East could see temperatures as high as 22C, the hottest day of the year so far. The previous highest temperature was 19.9C, recorded at Achfary, north-west Scotland, at the end of January.
Yesterday, a Ryanair jet, above, struggled to land at Leeds Bradford Airport in high winds.
Dan Suri, of the Met Office, said of today: “Gusts of 50 to 60mph are expected quite widely, while some exposed spots, particularly in coastal Northern Ireland, will see 60 to 70mph gusts, with large waves also expected.
Blustery
“There will also be some blustery showers in the West, with the UK’s eastern side seeing a drier and brighter day.”
He added: “With the winds coming from the South, some unseasonably warm air will be drawn across parts of the UK. When combined with sunny spells in East Anglia we could see temperatures reaching 21C or 22C for a time.
“These temperatures are the highest we’ve seen in the UK since last October.”
Rod Dennis, of RAC Breakdown, said: “This intense period of stormy weather is going to prove extremely challenging for anyone driving on the western side of the UK.
“We urge drivers to avoid exposed coasts and higher routes where the impact is most likely to be felt.”
The Environment Agency has 11 “expected” flood warnings in place and there are 130 alerts for possible deluges.
Next week starts with unsettled weather, with “rain continuing for many”, the Met Office said.