Weather warnings part 3 - February storms.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Really hoped we wouldnt need another thread so soon.

Tomorrow we have one dangerous storm with winds potentially 90mph off welsh coasts, 80mph inland and hitting Ireland very hard too.

met office warnings for heavy rain (exactly where we dont need it but also hitting western scotland), snow, perhaps even down to lower ground at times over night even pretty far south and storm force winds. Also widespread gales across England.

Then friday night into Saturday we have another potentially damaging low. The models have really struggled with this one and it needs a careful eye keeping on it.

Because the winds look so bad tomorrow for some (enough in the amber areas for me to suggest that you consider whether your journey is essential), I'll be logging on around 7:15am to update. My biggest concern is western Wales in the afternoon. However the track may change as the storm develops so the amber warning area may shift. It is possible that the met office may issue some red warnings close to the morning.

Looking further on, although storms may track to their more usual position (north of scotland) as the month goes on, unfortunately the rain looks set to continue, with little in the way of respite.

[GloriaSmud]

sewing and cakes ~ OYBBK always mentions trampolines (as in making sure they're tied/weighted down) although that could go for anything in the garden that could be lifted up.
Hope everyone in the warning areas, especially those in the red one stays safe.

[sewingandcakes]

Thank you. I'll make a flask of coffee and the heating is on. Ds2 is at school and we've got an observation/meeting with the educational psychologist for ds1. I think I'll phone the school to get their advice.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

angryfeet you could be looking at 60mph gusts and some very heavy squally rain for a while, perhaps with hail and thunder mixed in.
Coastal SE could see 80mph gusts.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

sewing - I really would cancel. I am really concerned that schools are not closing early for a red warning. It should be an automatic consideration - it does really mean threat to life.

[sewingandcakes]

Thanks Gloria. We don't have a trampoline but we have a summerhouse at the top of the hill garden; I hope it stays there!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Im kind of expecting most vulnerable trampolines to be long gone!

[BlackeyedSusan]

take a photo of the susmmer house for your insurance.

tht pisses me off too re schools. grr.

[WhereBeThatBlackbirdTo]

It is getting really wild here in mid-Somerset and we are 'only' on a yellow warning.

I can't imagine how it would be like in a red warning.

Stay safe, everyone.

[AngryFeet]

Thanks oybbk. When is it happening? Dry and still here right now although actually wind picking up slightly (just heard a gust as I typed that!)

[NearlySchoolTime]

Kitten, do you know how accurate the maps are for the warnings? I'm on the Yorkshire/Lancashire border (so other side of the Pennines really from the red warning) but am wondering whether to keep DS home from swimming after school as it's an unnecessary trip.

Thanks for all the information - it's really helpful.

[GloriaSmud]

That's true, OYBBK!
A wind observation map here.

[Mirage]

I've just got in from work and the wind has just started picking up and the rain has begun.I',m charging everything I can think of just in case the power goes.Stay safe everyone.

[HerdyHerdwick]

I'm at work in NW England. The wind has been getting stronger over the last hour.
I am dreading this storm coming. We're expecting the strongest winds between 3pm and 6pm - rush hour -accompanied by very heavy rain.
The previous winds here this winter all seem to have been overnight, or there was the Friday just after Christmas when it was quite windy but not many people were back at work/school and it wasn't accompanied by heavy rains.
It's the timing of this one that has me so worried.

[ziggiestardust]

I'm on the Lizard and DH is flying into Newquay tonight. No flights have been cancelled etc at all yet, which is good!

The wind is just incredible and although there's a break in the rain for now, I expect it'll be back later. We seem to get the weather first here, so I'll check in as soon as I see more clouds from my office window.

The roads are struggling to cope with the rainfall atm.

[HerdyHerdwick]

Actually I've just checked the updated map and the worst is expected after 6pm, which is a tiny blessing I suppose. School run over by then. I'm hoping to leave the office early and get home as soon as I can.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Angry, it's going to be around mid afternoon that it starts to hit north Wales (as opposed to the general severe gales)

NST, I've moved over to my ipad while I eat lunch/watch the news but although you will be sheltered a little yes, I would keep your ds at home after school.q

[digerd]

SE.
Wind got up now since this morning. Not looking forward to 2pm dog walk

[sewingandcakes]

Good luck Herdy, I hope you stay safe. DH is playing it all down but has just gone to take a photo of the summerhouse. He's going out later to get some supplies.

School knew nothing about it when I phoned. Hopefully they're planning something now.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Herdy, yes, it is due a little later for you, in time for the general rush hour rather than school run time.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I think that after all this it might be worth contacting your county councils and asking them about their policy of issuing severe weather alerts to schools. It should be a basic requisite. We have the same issue here, where I have actually had to tell the school what was coming and even when they understood I had a really good idea they were still head in sand and got themselves into an awful state one snowfall.

[AnnabelleDarling]

Very bad in Dublin this morning, wind really strong from 8.45 to about 10.30 with heavy rain. Then it stopped suddenly, but I can see the wind starting up again now.

[PaxmansGusset]

I'm in SE Surrey. No rain at present, but some gusty wind.

[gnushoes]

OYBBK, my 18 year old is supposed to be going to an interview at Sheffield Uni tomorrow... from Sussex... it's going to have calmed down by then, isn't it? thank you.
PS pretty windy here on the south coast, no rain yet.
Thanks for all the forecasting and weather info: have learned so much from your posts!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

This is the more dangerous bit Anna. People will be lulled by the dry slot but the winds will really really get up very soon.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Gnu, yes, it does look a lot calmer. Remind him to check the transport links though for damage from the storm. Good luck to him!