Storm Ciarán

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

This is an early heads up.

Models have consistently been bringing in a deep low pressure for sometime over Wed/Thurs. As is often the case, details are yet to be nailed down, but some of the models are producing some severe gusts - southern coastal winds of up to 90mph and more widespread inland winds of around 60mph. With storms, comes rain too unfortunately. A wobble in the track could take them further north or, keep it all in France. Exactly when and where the low pressure develops will make a big difference in the outcome. More details to follow.

If the storm is named, it will be Storm Ciaran. At that point I'll ask MNHQ to change the title appropriately.

Some of my patients and colleagues were without power for over 72 hours Feb last year, with that big storm that caused a load of outages. Ours was off for a day, back for a bit then off again for half a day and that was bad enough.. I think some people get priority service if they have medical needs, but whether they actually get timely help, I don't know. I know there were generators dotted around supplying some homes, so perhaps they send those out?

Southerly F8 here gusting F10 in South East

No probs..

For info - If you miss seeing the earlies into Heathrow in the morning it beginning to look like Stansted might get be the place to watch tomorrow afternoon as the wind goes around to the West...

I'm in East Kent. Our school is closing till 10 then will update accordingly. I work there and we've been told to come in normal time🤔

Somuchgoo ~ you should be ok leaving early Friday morning but leave plenty of time for your journey.

Yes electrify suppliers have to keep lists of vulnerable patients. Our neighbour is diabetic so need to keep meds in the fridge. Last power cut they brought a generator which powered a few houses in the midst of a large outage. We were just lucky to be next door so they put us on it too.

Current position of Storm Ciarán.
Another update from Netweather.

Good God that's trippy!

Ten years ago now
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/sse-and-ukpn-pay-out-ps8-million-following-christmas-storms

No wind but just starting to rain here near Sittingbourne.

Was that ten years ago? Think OYBBK saved my Christmas that year.

Wind definitely picking up a bit here.

@icewoman we’re in Somerset, not far from Yeovil.

Hampshire here, (waaay inland), didn’t realise this storm was meant to be a big deal, haven’t even considered bringing in anything from the garden!!!

North Devon getting a bit blowy. Most of the local schools already closed for tomorrow. My DP works for the Electricity distribution network so not expecting to see him for a day or two when he goes off to work tomorrow. Last year in Feb we were without power for 3 days, lost all the contents of my fridge and freezer 😢
Parenting 2 toddlers for 3 days with no electricity was bloody miserable and dark. Bought camping lights today and charged up all tablets etc. Hoping it's not as bad as they're predicting!

Getting very rough out there now, really gusty (South Devon)

Just realised the builders have left loads of stuff in the garden. Don’t necessarily expect it to be there tomorrow.

Blowing up here now in mid-Wales. Gusty in the trees and raining but not torrential yet. River is already at the top of the banks and will surely flood by Sunday as we have another torrential day on Saturday.

Quite gusty here in the north of West Sussex, rain almost horizontal at times.
I have to leave for work at 0500 - driving 30 miles (towards London)
Frankly shitting it a bit now!

East Sussex, fairly sheltered area in the High Weald AONB. I work in a school in the next village across from the one I live in. We’ve been sent emails from county asking us to update our school closure plans in the event of power loss.

Every summer we have to close for days due to loss of water supply, and it seems now every winter we’re having to close due to storm related power loss. Huge amounts of extra work for staff replanning everything, and massive inconvenience for families.

I might be missing something here, but surely power networks/water providers could be looking into preventative measures to protect schools, hospitals, care homes etc from power/water loss? It’s not like those institutions don’t pay hugely inflated business rates already.

@Timeturnerplease Exactly and they have already had ten years of this kind of weather so its not as if they dont know its coming

We are in same area, but Im a little closer to Hastings. Its just beginning to get a bit blowy, last half hour or so. I dont think Id want to be down on the coast. My partner is up at our farm, we are hoping that everything holds together

Poor BBC correspondent in Jersey struggling to stay on his feet on the News.

We are meant ti be flying to France tomorrow is it likely to affect this? 🫠

Depends very much where you're flying from!

It makes me really angry that they send reporters out, attracting a crowd and completely undermining the clear STAY AT HOME message.