Britain is bracing for disruption as Storm Benjamin brings winds exceeding 70mph and torrential rain, with warnings of flooding, power cuts and travel delays across large parts of the country. The Met Office has issued multiple yellow weather warnings for rain and wind, covering southern and eastern England, southwest England and parts of Wales.
According to data from WXCharts, winds will strengthen from around 6am on Thursday, October 23, with gusts reaching up to 80mph in Kent and Lincolnshire. The early morning period is expected to bring some of the most violent gusts, affecting areas including Norwich, Southampton, Oxford and Swindon during the morning commute.
By midday, conditions are set to worsen further, with winds potentially reaching almost 90mph across the lower half of the UK, including south Wales, the southwest, the southeast and London. The storm will continue to grip the southern half of Britain through the afternoon, with little change expected by 3pm.
By 6pm, stronger gusts of up to 88mph are forecast to move further north, affecting Leeds, Bradford and the Yorkshire Dales. The final surge is predicted around 9pm, when the strongest winds return to the southeast, with speeds as high as 90mph in Norwich, Essex, Kent and London.
Chief Met Office Meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said there is a chance wind gusts could exceed 70mph for a time. She noted greater than usual uncertainty surrounding the track and intensity of the low-pressure system, advising the public to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings.
