High winds of up to 60mph have began battering Britain with live trackers showing planes hovering over Heathrow as gales rip through the nation. One school in Gloucestershire has been forced to close due to the strength of the gusts causing concern about the stability of erected scaffolding on site.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind covering the south west, south east, London and the Midlands. It comes into effect today and predicts disruption to transport, including flights.
This morning parents at Cheltenham Bournside School were told in an email, which has been seen by Express.co.uk: “Due to high winds, the safety of scaffolding in a central area of the school has been compromised.
“For the safety of all people on site, the school will be closing with immediate effect.”
Live trackers showed planes queuing over Heathrow earlier today, reportedly waiting to land. This is despite the airport assuring Express.co.uk that operations were continuing as normal.
A voluntary group empowering disabled people in Stevenage tweeted: “Unfortunately we have had to take the decision to cancel today’s session. High winds, problems with coaching cover, and cancelling schools make this unavoidable.”
The Met Office said: “Southwesterly winds will widely gust to between 50 and 55 mph with gusts reaching 60 to 65 mph over some exposed coasts and hills. The highest gusts are expected between mid-morning and mid-afternoon.”
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