Yahoo Sports Met Office issues amber warning of 'danger to life' as Storm Ciara brings gales and heavy rain
The Met Office has issued a series of severe weather warnings as Storm Ciara hits this weekend - including an Amber warning for wind, which warns of ‘danger to life’.
Nearly all of the country will be battered by heavy rain and gales causing disruption across the country as a result of the storm, which is currently heading eastwards towards the UK.
Forecasters previously warned that winds up to 80mph would hit the UK as the storm arrived.
On Friday, the Met Office said it has issued several National Severe Weather Warnings for strong winds and heavy rain throughout the weekend, including an amber warning for southeast England on Sunday.
They come as Sky News weather producer Chris England said Ciara would be “the most intense storm since 2013”.
According to the amber warning, there will probably be some damage to buildings, as well as power cuts, road closures and longer journey times and cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected
“Injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties,” it warned.
READ MORE
Airline pilot spends nearly £500,000 on brand new dream home, only for it to be plagued with issues
A yellow wind warning has been issued for north-western parts of the UK on Saturday, followed by a yellow wind warning covering the whole UK on Sunday.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders, said: “Storm Ciara will bring damaging winds and heavy rain across the UK this weekend and we have issued a range of severe weather warnings giving people time to prepare for potential impacts of the storm.”
He added: “Winds will increase through Saturday across Northern Ireland, Scotland, northern England and Wales, before turning very windy across the rest of UK through the early hours of Sunday morning.
“Gusts of 50 to 60mph are expected quite widely across inland areas, with even stronger gusts of 80mph or higher along coastal areas, especially in southeast England and northern Scotland.”
Storm Ciara is the third named storm of the season and was previously described by one forecaster as “rather rudely barging her way through”.
Gusts of up to 80mph were previously warned of, as well as coastal flooding and powerful winds on sea fronts.
The storm comes against the backdrop of a calm start to February and saw winds start to increase on Friday.
