UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast
Parts of northern England and Scotland have been put on maximum alert with the Met Office issuing a rare red weather warning as Storm Arwen sweeps into the country.
Forecasters urged the public to be aware of the prospect of gale-force winds from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning with the first winter storm of the season set to batter the country, bringing snow of up to 15cm to higher ground.
Gusts are forecast to be as high as 100mph with the alert, which stretches along the east coast from Newcastle upon Tyne to beyond Aberdeen, warning of flying debris which could result in a “danger to life”.
The red alert also warns of the potential for damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down. Storm Arwen is moving in from the North Sea and will begin to travel south before easing on Sunday.
Key Points
Show latest update
1637943966
‘Significant disruption’ on London-Scotland rail line this weekend
Train operator London North Eastern Railway has issued a “do not travel” alert to customers as its services will be “significantly disrupted due to severe weather“ until Sunday.
The firm runs trains on the East Coast Main Line between London and Scotland, calling at stations including Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Network Rail will close the East Coast route north of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, from 5pm on Friday.
Passengers are being warned further closures could be imposed elsewhere on the route.
Warrick Dent, LNER safety and operations director, said: “We are encouraging our customers with tickets dated for today, November 26, and this coming weekend to defer their travel arrangements where possible.
“We expect services to be extremely busy throughout the weekend and advise customers to check our website and social channels for the latest information.”
Tom Batchelor26 November 2021 16:26
1637942790
Do not travel ‘under any circumstances’, Police Scotland says
Police Scotland have warned people using the roads in areas covered by the red warning – including cyclists, those using public transport and those in cars, vans and lorries – not to travel “under any circumstances”.
Superintendent Simon Bradshaw, from Police Scotland’s road policing unit, said: “The high winds being experienced along the coastal areas of the north, east and southern parts of Scotland have led to red weather warnings coming into effect and, as such, any motorist within these affected regions should not travel under any circumstances.
“If you are currently within more inland areas of these regions, then amber and yellow warnings are also in place, and we are asking that you do not journey out unless for essential purposes and, if you are doing so, to be mindful of the challenging conditions you will face.
“A number of local road closures and bridge restrictions may also be implemented during this period of adverse weather and we would advise the public to consult the Transport Scotland and Met Office websites for continuous and updated information.”
Tom Batchelor26 November 2021 16:06
1637940990
North Sea shipping forecast warns of ‘violent storm’, ‘very rough’ sea state
The shipping forecast for the North Sea gives an indication of Storm Arwen’s intensity.
The forecast for the ‘Forties’, an area of sea roughly to the east of Aberdeen, gives a gale warning with “southwesterly gale force 8 imminent, veering northeasterly violent storm force 11 later”.
The sea state is described as “rough, becoming very rough or high, then very high for a time in southwest”, with rain and “moderate or poor” visibility.
Tom Batchelor26 November 2021 15:36
1637939790
Stormy seas as Storm Arwen approaches
Tom Batchelor26 November 2021 15:16
1637938214
Travel warnings issued as weather forecast to cause delays
Graeme Day, the Scottish transport minister, has urged people travelling to take the weather into account, and said: “The whole country is going to see blustery conditions, but the Met Office is telling us that eastern parts of Scotland in particular are going to see some difficult weather.”
The RAC has advised drivers to prepare for strong gusts by slowing down and being “very careful” when passing high-sided vehicles or cyclists.
Spokesman Simon Williams said: “In extreme windy conditions, bridges may also be closed and trees may fall so it’s important to allow extra time for journeys.
“With forecasters predicting strong winds together with colder conditions, drivers should take this opportunity to prepare their vehicles for winter by checking oil and coolant levels, ensuring they have enough good quality screenwash that protects down to well below minus 10C, as well as having properly inflated tyres with good tread.”
Tom Batchelor26 November 2021 14:50
1637937090
UK Health Security Agency urges people to check on elderly relatives
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to check on elderly relatives or neighbours as the country braces for Storm Arwen to sweep in.
The agency has issued a cold weather alert, and Agostinho Sousa, a consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA, said: “Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
“It’s really important to keep checking on older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or those who have serious illness.
“Make a call, or a socially distanced doorstep visit if they live close by, to remind them to heat their home to at least 18C and to keep up to date with the forecast. It’s also helpful to check they have enough food and drinks and any medicines they need.”
Tom Batchelor26 November 2021 14:31
1637936790
‘Significant disruption’ forecast for London to Scotland rail line
Train operator London North Eastern Railway has issued a “do not travel” alert to customers as its services will be “significantly disrupted due to severe weather“ until Sunday.
The firm runs trains on the East Coast Main Line between London and Scotland, calling at stations including Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Network Rail will close the East Coast route north of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, from 5pm on Friday.
Passengers are being warned further closures could be imposed elsewhere on the route.
Warrick Dent, LNER safety and operations director, said: “We are encouraging our customers with tickets dated for today, November 26, and this coming weekend to defer their travel arrangements where possible.
“We expect services to be extremely busy throughout the weekend and advise customers to check our website and social channels for the latest information.”
Tom Batchelor26 November 2021 14:26
1637936166
Temperatures to plummet to below average over weekend
It is not just snow, wind and rain that the UK will endure in the coming 24 hours – the Met Office has said temperatures would plummet to below average over the weekend, too.
Will Lang, head of civil contingencies at the Met Office, said: “The UK will see temperatures drop to below average in the coming days, as cold air is drawn in from the north. This is coupled with the strong winds associated with Storm Arwen, which means it will feel especially cold in the wind.
“Areas in the north will see temperatures below freezing overnight, with daytime maximum temperatures only getting into the low single figures.
“It’s important to note that strong wind speeds, in excess of 65mph in exposed locations, will exacerbate the cold temperatures we’ll be seeing over the weekend.”
Tom Batchelor26 November 2021 14:16
1637935290
‘Don’t go to the coast,’ forecaster says
Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesman, has warned people to stay away from the affected area, saying the forecaster didn’t “issue red warnings lightly”.
The red warning – the first maximum alert to be issued since Storm Dennis in February 2020 – means the impact is likely to be severe.
“I would emphasise the risk for coastal communities. We are talking about wave heights that really are exceptional. I’ve heard sort of nine-10 metre waves out to sea, which is you know, is particularly noteworthy,” said Mr Madge.
“We’re looking at the vulnerability of people like coastal anglers, for example, shore fishermen, people visiting in order to get photos, all of these communities need to take particular care and assess the risk.
“And obviously, don’t go if they feel that there’s any risk to themselves or others by them being there.
“People need to recognise really, that, you know, we don’t issue red warnings lightly, so therefore, when we do we feel that there is a much higher threat of risk.
“We urge people obviously to take action as a result of that and that action in this case is probably don’t go to the coast.”
Tom Batchelor26 November 2021 14:01
1637934390
How Friday night and Saturday morning are forecast to pan out
Tom Batchelor26 November 2021 13:46
https://www.independent.co.uk/weather/storm-arwen-news-live-weather-snow-b1964788.html
