Brace for wrath of Ciara, followed by chill wind
BRACE yourselves. If Storm Ciara hasn’t reached you yet this morning, it is only a matter of time. The third named storm of the season – following in the footsteps of Atiyah and Brendan – arrived in western parts yesterday evening, bringing winds of up to 80mph and heavy rain. It is going to be with us throughout today and, once it is out of the way tomorrow, up to four inches (10cm) of snow could plunge the northern part of the country into deepest midwinter.
First to be all shook up will be Northern Ireland, north and western Scotland and north-west England, but as the storm sinks gradually southwards, we will all experience its destructive force and the downpour that comes in its wake. In exposed parts of northern Scotland, wind speeds could reach a mighty 85mph, with 70-80mph down the western seaboard of the UK, and 60-70mph in the East and south-east. Planned events are already being postponed, including today’s Llanelli’s halfmarathon in Carmarthenshire.
In the midst of the onslaught, temperatures will be the least of our concerns, but it will remain above the seasonal averages, with 15C (59F) in Norwich, 14C (57F) in Cardiff, London and Hull, 13C (55F) in Birmingham and Liverpool, and just 10C (50F) in Belfast and Aberdeen. Any residual warmth, though, will disappear as the working week starts. Storm Ciara will head off eastwards, but following in behind will be fresher, cooler air that will push the mercury down noticeably.
For southern parts, there will be sunshine and showers, but over the northern hills that chill in the wind will see the rain turn to snow.
Unless you love the cold, February has long had a reputation as the cruellest month of the year, and it is on course to live up to its billing this time round. Taking averages over the past 130 years, five of the coldest days of the year are between Feb 13 and 20. You have been warned.