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Met Office issues storm alert as New Year maps show snow, rain and 75mph winds to hit UK.uk

admin December 29, 2024

Strong winds could cause travel disruptions with a possibility of “danger to life”, the Met office has warned.

UK storm

A yellow warning of strong winds has been issued by the Met Office (Image: WXcharts)

Gales of 75mph are likely to batter parts of the UK as the Met Office issued a ‘multi-hazard’ yellow warning for wind, rain and snow that is set to cause major travel disruptions.

The yellow alert comes in place from Wednesday (January 1) 9am to Thursday (January 2) 6am.

The forecaster said: “A deep area of low pressure is expected to cross the UK from the west, bringing a spell of very str ong winds. Gusts of 65-75 mph are likely around coasts and hills, especially in the south and west, with 50-60 mph gusts likely fairly widely inland.

According to the Met Office, the strong winds may also lead to power cuts in some areas with even chances to affect some other services such as mobile phone coverage.

The conditions may also cause some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, the Met Office has warned.

UK weather maps

Weather maps show the areas affected by strong winds (Image: WXCharts)

It stated: “There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties. There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris.”

At present, there are several yellow warnings of rain, snow and wind have been issued by the Met Office

as Brits are set to witness a chaotic weather starting from New Year’s Eve.

Andy Page is a Chief Forecaster with the Met Office. He said: “There is a very complicated weather forecast for the UK with snow, strong winds and heavy rain all feature for parts of the UK. Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week. With such a varied and complex weather situation there is potential for the pattern of warnings to shift and possibly escalate in some areas.

“With lots of celebrations and people on the move over the coming days, we are urging everyone to keep checking the forecast so they can update their plans.”

Heavy snow warning has been issued for areas in Northern Ireland. The Met Office said: “A band of rain in association with a deep low-pressure system moving in from the west pushes east on Wednesday.

“This is likely to turn to snow as it moves into cold air. Possibility of 2-5cm of snow, perhaps up to 10cm, in a few places, whilst 15-20 cm may accumulate over hills with drifting in the strong winds.”

Sky News meteorologist Christopher England said Britain needed to prepare for “multi-hazard storm, combining severe gales, heavy rain and possibly significant snow as the rain runs into cold air”.

Widespread snow is set to follow the treacherous storm.

UK weather maps