Could we see SEVEN major storms before Christmas?
SEVEN storms could hit the North East before Christmas as forecasters claim this autumn could be the stormiest for years.
Storm Aileen, the first named storm of the year, has already hit the North East, with six more storms forecast before December 25.
Just three named storms hit before Christmas in 2016, one more than in 2015 - the first year UK storms were named.
However, experts at AccuWeather believe this year could be one of the stormiest in recent times.
The company made its projection after assessing UK storm totals in every year since 1997, plus selected years back to 1940 with similar pressure patterns to this autumn.
The Met Office, which names UK storms, does not go as far as predicting a total of named storms - but confirmed a stormy autumn was expected.
Travel disruption, flooding and damage from high winds could become a regular occurrence over the next few weeks.
AccuWeather forecaster Tyler Roys said: “Britain could easily have seven storms named by the Met Office by Christmas.
“A more active autumn and early winter storm period is expected this year, due to a positive North Atlantic Oscillation.”
Forecasters say this autumn will have a big difference between low pressure near Iceland and high pressure near the Azores, known as a ‘positive North Atlantic Oscillation.’
This triggers more powerful high-altitude Atlantic jet stream winds, which catapult more storms at Britain.
The Weather Company head of meteorological operations Leon Brown said: “Gusts are likely to top 90mph in November and December in exposed western coastal regions.
“Storms are likely to bring 70mph gusts inland across northern Britain.” Reporter YOBS have attacked firefighters twice in one week after fires were started in a Gateshead estate.
Firefighters were pelted with stones and verbally abused in two “indefensible” attacks as they tried to put out deliberate blazes in the Beacon Lough estate.
The firefighters were subjected to the foul-mouthed abuse on Tuesday September 4 and Wednesday September 5, while the youths hurled stones at their vehicle.
Crew Manager Steven Burns, who was one of the Washington-based firefighters attacked in Gateshead, said: “It’s just beyond belief that this should happen to firefighters or any other member of the emergency services, while we’re doing our job.
“We’re here to keep the community safe and shouldn’t have to put up with any form of abuse.”
The firefighters were subjected to the foul-mouthed abuse on Tuesday September 4 and Wednesday September 5, while the youths hurled stones at their vehicle.
The actions of the youths, who had been loitering in the Craneville play park, are now being investigated by police, who warned the disgraceful behaviour could cost lives.
The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s acting chief officer Alan Robson said: “These attacks are indefensible. They are not just insulting; they are endangering the lives of committed and dedicated firefighters whose sole purpose is to protect and save the lives and homes of everyone in our community.
“Damage to our TRV could also result in it being off the road and not available for emergency use. We are cooperating with our colleagues in Northumbria Police to ensure that those responsible are caught.”
There were 54 attacks on firefighters in the region last year, ranging from harassment and verbal abuse, to physical abuse and projectiles being thrown at them and their vehicles.
Police neighbourhood inspector Alan Pitchford said: “Firefighters are there to keep us safe and ultimately save people’s lives. It is not acceptable that they should face being attacked while trying to carry out that duty. We will not tolerate this type of behaviour and will take firm action against anyone who thinks it is acceptable to target firefighters in this way – what you are doing is dangerous and could cost lives.”
If anyone has information about those responsible for last week’s assaults, they are asked to contact police immediately on 101.