The Met Office has escalated a warning concerning Storm Debi to the amber level – as it is now thought its impact will be more destructive than it was first feared
A weather warning for wind – caused by the raging Storm Debi – has been upgraded to the amber level as its feared to be even more destructive than first thought.
Gales of up to 80mph are set to batter Britain throughout Monday, with the risk of tornados likely in some regions. Several weather warnings are in place, all of which were yellow until last night when the Met Office upgraded one to the next level of severity.
It concerns wind forecast for County Armagh and County Down in Northern Ireland, where flying debris is likely and “could lead to injuries or danger to life”. A further warning was also issued for parts of north west England.
Writing on its website, the Met Office said: “A spell of very strong winds is expected to develop on Monday morning across County Armagh and County Down in association with Storm Debi. Inland gusts of 60-65 mph are likely in places whilst along the coast gusts of up to 75 mph are expected. Winds will gradually ease during the afternoon.” Of the warning in England the forecaster said that inland gusts would reach about 65mph while on the coast there could be 80mph winds.
Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, is likely, and power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage across too. The weather warning is in place until midday in Northern Ireland while in England it is in force between 10am and 4pm.
Elsewhere yellow weather warnings are in place until the evening. Storm Debi has the potential to bring very strong and disruptive winds across northern England and large parts of Wales until around 6pm, the Met Office said.
A yellow weather warning covers East Midlands, Northeast England, Northwest England, Wales, Yorkshire and Humber and the tip of the West Midlands. Wind speeds could peak at 80mph across the Pennines by midday.
The Met Office website reads: “Storm Debi is expected to develop and move across Ireland and northern England on Monday. Whilst there is still some uncertainty in the exact track and depth of this low, there is a chance of very strong westerly winds developing along Irish Sea coasts of Wales and northwest England on Monday morning before extending inland during day, slowly easing later. There is a chance of 60-65 mph gusts developing inland and 70-80 mph around coasts, and over some higher ground, such as the Pennines.”
And a yellow weather warning for rain remains in place for Central, Tayside & Fife and Grampian until 9pm. The downpours may cause disruption to travel and flooding on Monday, forecasters believe. The areas were already ravaged by flooding during Storm Babet and, more recently, Storm Ciarán.
UK weather forecast
Today:
Wet and windy weather associated with Storm Debi will move northeastwards across the UK today. Potentially damaging wind gusts affecting Northern Ireland, northern England and the north and west of Wales. Turning brighter with blustery showers from the southwest.
Tonight:
Rain will turn showery in the north and northeast overnight, as winds ease. Elsewhere there will be a mix of clear spells and showers, some heavy, thundery and rather blustery.
Tuesday:
Tuesday will be a breezy day with sunshine and showers. Showers will be locally heavy and thundery, perhaps merging to give more persistent rain in the north and far south.
