The Met Office has issued 'danger to life' weather warnings across the UK as fog, strong winds and rain are expected to hit London as a result of Storm Ciara.
The UK is set to be battered by winds of up 80mph this weekend, possibly affecting transport and power networks, and the Met Office has issued a severe yellow weather warning for the whole of the country for Saturday and Sunday.
Strong winds will mainly hit the north west and coastal areas first on Saturday, but central London will then be hit by gusts of 60mph and weather experts have warned that Storm Ciara poses life-threatening dangers.
Around 24 hours of heavy rain on Sunday is also likely to disrupt trains, buses and ferry services in London and Kent.
The calm before the storm... #StormCiara will hit the UK this weekend, bringing potentially damaging gusts, heavy rain & dangerous waves. Travel disruption & power cuts likely. Keep up to date with our warnings 👉 https://t.co/JSZ8HPTTtr #WeatherAware. pic.twitter.com/YSAWk9qXC7
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 6, 2020
The latest forecast said: "Early rain Sunday clearing to blustery showers with widespread gales, locally severe. Very windy and cold Monday. Showers, perhaps wintry on hills."
Thameslink and Southern Rail passengers are being advised to expect delays, cancellations and disruption to services this weekend thanks to storm Ciara, with possible debris blown onto tracks, damange to overhead wires and consequent speed restrictions.
Exceptionally high winds are expected to reach the south east area during Sunday. We may have to introduce speed restrictions across large parts of the network which will result in delays and possible alterations to services. Please make sure you check before you travel. pic.twitter.com/Q5bUMyjudl
— Southeastern (@Se_Railway) February 7, 2020
Met Office meteorologist John Griffiths warned stronger winds on the coast would have a similar impact to lesser gusts in urban and southern areas “because the infrastructure isn’t quite built to cope with those winds”.
“Seeing such a swathe of strong winds across the UK is fairly unusual, and even gusts of 50 to 60mph in inner London would have quite a big impact,” said Mr Griffiths.
“So although the strongest winds are probably going to be across north western areas and also up through the Channel potentially, seeing gusts of that kind of level [inland] is going to have some impact. That’s why we have this warning.”
In total, six weather warnings are in place nationwide for 30 hours of this weekend, with risks posed by very strong winds, flooding, large waves and flying debris.
A yellow warning for fog is also in place locally for today, Friday February 7, following what has been sunny but frosty weather over the last few days.
Storm Ciara is the result of a low pressure system developing in the North Atlantic.
Due to Sunday's weather warning, London could be affected by the following:
- Road, rail, air and ferry services disrupted, with longer journey times and cancellations possible
- Some roads and bridges may be forced to close
- Damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
- Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Possible injuries and danger to life from flying debris
- Possible injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
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