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A danger to life warning has been issued for this weekend with flooding, heavy rain and 80mph winds expected as Storm Darragh batters large parts of the UK.
The Met Office has issued a series of yellow weather warnings for rain and wind between Thursday and early on Sunday morning, covering large parts of the UK barring northern Scotland.
Two amber weather warnings on Saturday for “potentially damaging winds” are in place for Northern Ireland and the entire west coast of England and Wales, along with southwest Scotland. A danger to life warning is in place for these areas.
The Environment Agency is monitoring the progress of Storm Darragh, the fourth named storm of the season, ahead of the weekend.
With the possibility of flooding, particularly across parts of north and west England, the agency has advised people not to drive through flood water.
“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and will support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. We urge people not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car,” Ms Smith said.
Storm Darragh mapped: Which areas will face a ‘danger to life’ amid 80mph winds and flooding?
Storm Darragh is set to batter parts of the UK with up to 80mph winds, torrential rain, and potential flooding over the weekend.
The Met Office has issued a number of yellow and amber weather warnings, as it predicts a possible “danger to life” in western parts of the UK where wind speeds are expected to reach the highest.
The forecaster says a period of “very strong northerly or northwesterly winds” will develop throughout Saturday as Storm Darragh moves from west to east. This will see gusts of up to 70 to 80 mph hit areas of exposed coast and gusts of 60 to 70 mph in inland areas.
Affected communities, particularly those under an amber weather warning this weekend, are warned to stay cautious and to avoid driving due to potentially dangerous conditions.
With several weather warnings for wind and rain covering different areas at different times, The Independent has broken down which areas will be affected.
Read the full report:
Alex Croft6 December 2024 01:00
National Highways issues driving advice
Drivers have been advised to “adjust your driving behaviour” if weather conditions become challenging.
Duty manager at National Highways Dale Hipkiss said: “If you’re planning to drive over the next few days, prepare in advance for the journey and take extra care on the roads.
“If weather conditions become challenging, adjust your driving behaviour to manage the conditions as safely as possible. It’s also a good idea for drivers to check their vehicles, such as tyres, coolant and oil levels, before heading out to reduce the risk of breakdowns.”
Alex Croft5 December 2024 22:59
What is causing Storm Darragh?
Storm Darragh follows a period of “unsettled and squally conditions”.
An area of low pressure will bring strong winds and heavy rain to much of the UK, with the heaviest rainfall expected to be focussed in the northern and western parts of the warning area.
Some snow will hit northern areas above 200m, the forecaster said.
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said: “Storm Darragh is an evolving system and will bring several hazards, including wind gusts of up to 70-80mph around western coasts, especially from Devon and Cornwall to southwest Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wind speeds in inland areas will be slightly reduced with maximum gusts expected to reach 60-70mph.”
Alex Croft5 December 2024 21:55
How to stay safe in strong wind
The Met Office has issued its top tips for staying safe in areas with strong wind over the weekend.
Here’s what to do if Storm Darragh brings gusty winds to your area, according to the Met:
- Protect your property: ”Don’t risk injury to others or damage to your property. Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them in high winds,” the forecaster says.
- Plan routes and pack essentials for any journeys: The forecaster stresses that “windy weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous.”
- Drive slowly and cautiously in strong wind: “Driving in these conditions can be dangerous, for yourself and other road users,” says the Met Office.
- Take when near coast: Check forecasts and tides and be aware of large waves, the Met Office says. Take care walking near cliffs.
- Stay indoors as much as possible: “Being outside in high winds makes you more vulnerable to injury. Stay indoors as much as possible. If you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees,” the Met Office says.
Alex Croft5 December 2024 20:52
Mapped: Where will Storm Darragh hit?
Friday afternoon: Storm Darragh hits
Three yellow weather warnings for rain and wind will be introduced at 3pm. A yellow warning for wind from 3pm on Friday until 6am on Sunday will cover the entirety of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and southern parts of Scotland.
A yellow weather warning for rain will cover Northern Ireland and most of Wales from 3pm on Friday until 12pm on Saturday, with the possibility of some “flooding and disruption”.
Another yellow warning for rain will cover the southern part of Scotland from 3pm on Friday until 12pm on Saturday, stretching from the Scottish Borders up to Glasgow and Edinburgh, and up the eastern coast to Aberdeen.
Saturday: Severe wind strikes
Alongside the yellow weather warnings starting on Friday, two amber warnings for wind will be introduced in the early hours of Saturday.
The warning, in force between 3am and 9pm on Saturday, encompasses southwest England, western Wales, England’s northwest coast and the southeastern coast of Scotland.
Alex Croft5 December 2024 19:49
Storm Darragh to arrive by Friday evening
The Met Office’s weather forecast for the next day says Storm Darragh will hit the UK by Friday evening.
“Rain clearing away to the east and southeast this evening, leaving clear periods for many overnight. Some showers in the north and northwest. Winds easing for all, with a patchy frost likely for some western rural areas,” the forecast says for Thursday.
Friday will see a “dry, bright start, with a few showers continuing in the northwest,” before “wet and increasingly windy weather arriving later from the west later as Storm Darragh arrives by the evening.”
Alex Croft5 December 2024 18:51
Met warns of ‘damaging winds’ and ‘danger to life’ on Saturday
The Met has warned there may be a “danger to life” in the areas which are covered by an amber weather warning on Saturday.
Northern Ireland and the entire west coast of England and Wales – along with the southeastern Scottish coast – have been issued an amber weather warning for rain.
Here is what the Met Office is warning residents to expect:
- A good chance of powercuts, with the potential to affect services such as mobile phone coverage
- Probable damage to buildings
- Longer journey times and cancellations with rail, air and ferry services potentially affected
- Danger to life and injuries as a result of flying debris
- Closure of roads and bridges, with falling trees a potential hazard
- Danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties
Alex Croft5 December 2024 17:59
Friday’s weather warnings
The Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings for Friday.
They will all come into force at 3pm.
A yellow weather warning for wind, which covers the entirety of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and southern parts of Scotland, will remain in place until Sunday at 6am.
A yellow rain warning will be in place across southern Scotland, stretching up the eastern Scottish coast to Aberdeen. This will be in place until 12pm on Saturday.
There will also be a yellow weather warning for rain covering Northern Ireland and Wales until 12pm on Saturday.
Here’s a map of the warnings issued by the Met Office:
Alex Croft5 December 2024 17:08
Report: Drivers warned over flooded roads after danger to life alert as UK set for 80mph winds and rain
Motorists are being urged not to drive through floodwater amid warnings of heavy rain and 80mph winds set to batter large swathes of the UK over the coming days.
The Environment Agency said it is carefully monitoring the progress of Storm Darragh, the fourth named storm of the season, ahead of the weekend after the Met Office issued a rare amber warning for “potentially damaging” winds.
Katharine Smith, flood duty manager from the agency, said heavy rain was expected to move “rapidly” across the north and west of England on Thursday evening, adding minor surface-water flooding was “probable” across parts of North West England, while minor river flooding was possible more widely across the country.
Angus Thompson reports:
Angus Thompson5 December 2024 16:22
Welcome to The Independent’s live blog
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live blog for Storm Darragh.
With a danger to life warning and wind speeds of up to 80mph an hour, the UK is set for a turbulent weekend of weather.
Follow here for all the latest updates.
Alex Croft5 December 2024 16:21
