Storm Chandra Unleashes Travel Chaos and Flooding Across the UK
Storm Chandra has swept across the United Kingdom, bringing severe travel disruption, widespread flooding and a cascade of weather warnings. The tempest, named by the western Europe storm naming group, follows closely on the heels of previous severe weather systems, exacerbating conditions in already vulnerable regions.
Major Infrastructure Disrupted by Gale Force Winds
The storm's impact was felt immediately on Tuesday morning, with significant transport infrastructure affected. The M48 Severn Bridge was closed in both directions due to dangerous high winds, while The Humber Bridge implemented restrictions, prohibiting high-sided vehicles from crossing. National Rail issued warnings of potential disruption to South Western Railway services throughout the day, with traffic between England and Wales being diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge as an alternative route.
Flooding Causes Widespread Road Closures
Multiple regions reported serious flooding incidents that necessitated road closures. Gwent Police confirmed that the A40 was flooded between Abergavenny and Raglan, rendering the route impassable. Several roads across Dorset, Somerset and east Devon were also closed due to floodwaters, creating hazardous driving conditions. The RAC's mobile servicing team leader, Nick Mullender, issued stark advice to motorists, stating: "Flooding is highly likely, making many roads dangerous. Our message to drivers is simple: do not drive through standing water unless you are completely certain the water is shallow enough and it's safe to do so."
Met Office Issues Multiple Weather Warnings
The Met Office has implemented a complex array of weather warnings across the nation. An amber warning for wind is active on the eastern coast of Northern Ireland from 5am to 9pm on Tuesday, with forecasts predicting unusual easterly gusts of 60-70mph, potentially reaching 75mph in coastal areas. Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen explained: "Easterly winds of this strength are unusual and are likely to be impactful."
Simultaneously, an amber warning for rain covers south Devon, much of Dorset, southern Somerset and south-east Cornwall until 9am Tuesday, where 30-50mm of rain could fall widely, with up to 60-80mm anticipated over higher ground on south Dartmoor. This heavy rainfall follows Storm Ingrid's recent devastation in the south-west, which washed away part of a historic pier just days earlier.
Snow Forecast for Northern Regions
As Storm Chandra interacts with colder air moving southwards, significant snowfall has been forecast for northern areas. Yellow warnings for rain and snow have been issued for the Pennines and south-west Scotland from midnight to 5pm Tuesday, where 2-5cm of snow could accumulate widely, with potential for 10-20cm on higher elevations. A further yellow warning for rain and snow covers much of central Scotland from 6am to midnight Tuesday.
Extensive Flood Warnings in Place
The Environment Agency reported 69 flood warnings active across England early Tuesday morning, with the majority concentrated in south-west England and four in Yorkshire. Scotland has issued flood warnings for Aberbothrie and the River Isla at Coupar Angus, while Wales has 17 flood alerts active across the country.
Paul Gundersen further warned: "Heavy rain is an additional hazard as it falls on saturated ground in Dorset and southern parts of Devon, Somerset and Cornwall. As Chandra interacts with colder air further north snow becomes a hazard, with 10-20cm of snow possibly accumulating over higher ground in the Pennines, southern Scotland and the Highlands."
Additional Weather Warnings Nationwide
The weather system has triggered numerous less severe yellow warnings across the UK:
- A yellow warning for wind covers Cornwall, south-west Wales and parts of northern Devon from 5am to 4pm Tuesday
- An additional yellow wind warning is in force for south-western Scotland from 5am to midnight Tuesday
- A yellow warning for rain is active from midnight until midday Tuesday for much of south-east England
- South-west England and south and central Wales face a yellow rain warning from 1pm Monday to 10am Tuesday
- The whole of Northern Ireland is under a yellow rain and wind warning for all of Tuesday
Gundersen emphasised the importance of vigilance: "With a complex spell of weather, it's important people stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings in your area." The RAC reinforced this message, advising drivers to slow down, stay alert and avoid unnecessary journeys, particularly if their vehicles have known faults.
Storm Chandra represents the latest in a series of severe weather events to batter the UK this season, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by increasingly volatile weather patterns across western Europe.
