Storm Chandra Triggers Widespread UK School Closures and Travel Chaos
Hundreds of schools across the United Kingdom are confirmed to be closed today as Storm Chandra continues to unleash dangerous weather conditions, with nearly 100 flood warnings remaining in effect. The Met Office has issued a series of alerts for ice, rain, and snow, prompting significant disruption to education and transport networks nationwide.
Regional Impact and School Disruptions
In Northern Ireland, over 350 schools have been shut due to severe weather, with an ice warning now covering all regions following yesterday's amber alert. Dozens of schools across the South West of England are also closed, and authorities warn that closures may persist until the weekend. Two new yellow warnings for rain have been issued for Friday, one encompassing all of Northern Ireland and another spanning much of the South West.
A major incident has been declared in Somerset following "extensive flooding overnight," with the council highlighting that the risk on the Somerset Levels and Moors "remains high as rainwater moves through the system." Elsewhere, most of mainland UK is under a yellow warning for ice, excluding only the South West, western Wales, and northern Scotland.
Flooding and Travel Disruption
The severe weather has led to nearly 100 active flood warnings, particularly concentrated in the South West. In Devon, the River Otter reached its "highest recorded ever level," according to local reports, prompting a severe flood warning. Firefighters in Devon and Cornwall rescued 25 people from vehicles trapped in floodwater earlier this week.
Travel disruption is widespread, with several roads and rail lines closed, and many airports experiencing long delays. National Rail has warned that disruptions are expected until Friday, including cancelled trains in Devon and speed restrictions across Scotland.
Met Office Forecast and Warnings
Met Office Chief Forecaster Paul Gundersen stated: "Storm Chandra will bring a range of hazards. Initially strong winds will impact the Isles of Scilly, western Cornwall, and southwest Wales, with gusts of 70 to 80mph possible. Heavy rain is an additional hazard as it falls on saturated ground in Dorset and southern parts of Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall."
He added: "As Chandra interacts with colder air further north, snow becomes a hazard, with 10-20cm possibly accumulating over higher ground in the Pennines, southern Scotland, and the Highlands. With a complex spell of weather, it's important people stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings in your area."
Five-Day Weather Outlook
Today: Fog and ice will clear, leaving most places dry with sunny spells. However, the north and east of Scotland will have patchy rain and mountain snow, while Northern Ireland, southwest Wales, and southwest England will be breezy with some showers.
Tonight: Low cloud and fog will form across many eastern and central areas overnight, with patchy rain. Hill snow is expected in northeast Scotland. It will be breezy with showers in the southwest, and frost under clearer spells elsewhere.
Thursday: Conditions will be rather cloudy and breezy with some rain and hill snow lingering in the northeast, while showers give way to more persistent rain towards the southwest. Some brighter breaks may develop elsewhere.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Friday looks unsettled with brisk winds and rather cloudy skies bringing outbreaks of rain for many. The weekend should be brighter and less breezy for most, albeit with scattered showers still possible.
