The Met Office has escalated weather warnings across the United Kingdom as Storm Chandra sweeps in, bringing a potent mix of severe gales, torrential downpours and disruptive snowfall. Forecasters have highlighted significant risks, including potential damage to property and a genuine danger to life from flying debris and coastal conditions.
Amber and Yellow Warnings: A Detailed Breakdown
Several critical weather warnings have been activated. The most severe amber warnings are currently in force for two key regions:
- South-west England for persistent and heavy rain, raising major flood concerns.
- The eastern coast of Northern Ireland for exceptionally strong and damaging winds.
Furthermore, less severe but still impactful yellow weather warnings cover all of Northern Ireland, a broader swathe of south-west England, and extend into parts of northern England and Scotland. These alerts signal potential travel disruption and hazardous conditions.
Regions Under the Highest Alert
The areas facing the most immediate threat from the amber alerts include specific counties. In Northern Ireland, Derry, Down and Antrim are on high alert. Across the water in south-west England, the counties of Cornwall, Somerset, Devon, and Dorset are braced for the worst of the rainfall.
Areas Under Dual Yellow Warnings
A separate set of regions are contending with two yellow warnings simultaneously, for a combination of rain, snow, and wind. These areas span from Scotland down to Wales and include:
- In Scotland: Argyll and Bute, South Ayrshire, and Dumfries and Galloway.
- In Wales: Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Swansea.
Met Office Forecast: Wind Speeds and Coastal Dangers
The Met Office has provided a detailed forecast, warning that "Easterly winds will increase early on Tuesday morning bringing gusts of 60-70 mph to eastern and northern parts of Northern Ireland with a few coastal locations seeing gusts of 75 mph. Heavy rain will be an additional hazard." They note winds may dip briefly before intensifying again from a south-easterly direction later in the day.
A particularly severe flood warning, indicating a direct danger to life, has been issued for the River Otter in Ottery St Mary, near Exeter. Coastal communities are urged to exercise extreme caution, as large waves may hurl beach material onto roads and properties. The public is strongly advised to avoid exposed coastal paths and promenades.
Travel Chaos and Public Safety Advice
Significant travel disruption is anticipated across road, rail, air, and ferry networks, with likely cancellations and extended journey times. Some roads and bridges may be forced to close. The official guidance is to avoid driving in these dangerous conditions if at all possible.
For personal safety, the Met Office recommends staying indoors to avoid injury from high winds or falling debris. Those near cliffs should know their route, keep dogs on a lead, and in any coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard immediately.
