Storm Brian On The Way As 70mph Winds Hit UK

Storm Brian On The Way As 70mph Winds Hit UK

Storm Brian is set to ignite a “weather-bomb” bringing 70mph winds and forecasters say it could cause more damage than Hurricane Ophelia.

Gale-force gusts and heavy rain will slam into the South West of the country late tomorrow night, causing havoc on Saturday as the area of intense low-pressure makes its way across the Atlantic.

Storm Brian was today named by the Met Office’s Irish counterpart Met Eireann, while severe weather warnings have been put in place across the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East England, North West England, South West England, Wales and the West Midlands.

High tides of up to 50ft are expected to lash the coast, leading to “dangerous conditions” and people are advised there’s a potential for flooding and disruption to travel.

Sara Thornton, founder of the digital weather service Weathertrending, said: “Severe storms have been like buses this week. You wait ages and then two roar towards us in quick succession.

“But while the newly christened Storm Brian has a less elegant name than ex-Hurricane Ophelia, it once more puts the British Isles squarely in the firing line of some very windy and wet weather.

#StormBrian has been named by @MetEireann as the second storm of the season, bringing strong winds to Ireland and the UK on Saturday pic.twitter.com/r2zxzqeSrL

— Met Office (@metoffice) October 19, 2017

“Brian is set to slam into the Southwest England on Saturday morning and could cause greater disruption to the UK than Ophelia, which focused most of its destructive power on Ireland.

“While Brian didn’t originate in the Tropics and so can’t claim the dubious honour of being a former hurricane, it is a deep depression that is exploding into life, like a bomb, in the mid-Atlantic.

“Such weather-bombs are not uncommon, but this one will come armed with 70mph winds and a barrage of heavy rain. And unlike Ophelia, which gave the UK a glancing blow and focused its ire on Ireland, Brian is heading straight towards us.

“The Met Office has issued weather warnings, which means people should make plans to protect themselves and their properties. Meanwhile the Environment Agency is concerned about the risk of flooding when Brian’s heavy rain falls on already sodden ground and huge waves inundate the coast at high tide.

“To make matters worse, Brian is unlikely to be a hit and run storm. Forecasts show it may slow down as it arrives in the UK, subjecting the country to a truly miserable weekend of weather.”

Chief Forecaster Dan Suri said: “Storm Brian is expected to bring strong winds to southern and western areas early on Saturday morning. The first and most significant land-based impacts will be in the southwest of Ireland, hence the Amber warning from Met Éireann. At the moment, we don’t expect the same level of impacts for the UK.

“As we go through Saturday morning and early afternoon the strong southwesterly winds affecting the South West will transfer east and slowly change direction as they will become westerly towards the end of the warning period.

“Gusts exceeding 50 mph are expected widely within the warning area, with gusts of around 70 mph along exposed coastal areas. These are expected to coincide with high tides, leading to locally dangerous conditions in coastal parts.”

With strong gusts forecast for Saturday, drivers are being advised to take precautions on the roads and to avoid parking under trees and overhanging telephone wires.

RAC spokesman Pete Williams said: “Drivers encountering high winds are advised to reduce their speed, ensure they hold the steering wheel firmly and be prepared for sudden gusts, debris and even fallen branches in the road.

“Allow plenty of room between your vehicle and the next and take extra care when overtaking cyclists, motorcyclists and lorries as they are susceptible to being blown around easily by side winds.

“Be extra cautious when driving on exposed roads, high ground and across bridges where again sudden gusts can blow you off course.

“When you reach your destination consider parking safely avoiding trees, overhanging telephone wires and things which could represent a falling danger.”