The Met Office’s ‘danger to life’ warnings during Storm Isha now cover nearly the whole of Britain, forecasters have revealed. The amber alert now covers almost the entirety of the UK, as an updated warning now covers 13 regions.
The areas affected are South West England, London and South East England, Northern Ireland, Highlands and Eilean Siar, the West Midlands, Wales, North West England, Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders, Central, Tayside and Fife, Orkney and Shetland, East of England and Grampian.
The urgent warning is in place for a period of 12 hours between 6pm tonight and 6am on Monday morning. A Met Office spokesperson said: “Storm Isha will bring a spell of very strong winds during Sunday evening and into Monday. Disruption to travel and utilities is likely.”
Longer journey times and cancellations are likely as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, while some roads and bridges will be likely to close. Forecasters are predicting that there will “probably” be some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.
The Met Office has also warned of power cuts, while there is a strong risk of “danger to life” in UK seaside towns due to large waves and beach material being flung onto sea fronts, homes and coastal roads.
Speaking of Storm Isha, Chief Meteorologist, Dan Suri, said: “In these regions we could see gusts frequently between 50-60mph and even up to 80mph in exposed coastal locations.”
The weather has wreaked havoc on Sunday travel, with Avanti West Coast warning against all travel today and passengers are also facing ferry disruption due to rough sea conditions.
Posting on X, the train line said: “Due to a speed restriction because of high winds trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines. We are recommending you do not travel today. Customers booked to travel on Sunday 21 January can use their tickets to travel on Monday 22 January or Tuesday 23 January, or alternatively get a fee-free refund through their point of purchase.”
LNER which connects London with the north of England and Scotland, said: “If you are travelling north of Edinburgh between 4pm on Sunday 21 January and 12 noon on Monday 22 January, you are advised not to travel.”
Other train operators including East Midlands Railways and South Western Railways are predicting potential disruption today and tomorrow.
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