Wednesday's stormy weather was always going to be severe, but I’ve just heard on Radio 4 that the Met. Office have issued a red warning for Wind today for Wales and NW England. That is serious! Essentially, that means you should not go out in those areas, unless it is really necessary. There is a real threat to life, and structural damage is very likely. So if you are in the western half Wales this afternoon and coastal NW England this evening, take heed. Even though much of Britain and Ireland are having wild conditions, it is these western parts of Britain which are particularly at risk today.
The Shipping forecast for the Irish Sea states “Wind South veering southwest storm 10 to hurricane force 12, decreasing 6 to gale 8” Even the Inshore waters forecast for coastal areas up to 12 miles offshore, mentions Violent storm force 11 for Wednesday.
The NMM Netweather model shows mean winds of 55mph which is Storm force, and gusts of 70 to 90mph (with 73mph+ being Hurricane force). For SW Wales and W.Wales, there is the possiblity of gusts up to 100mph.
The far south of Ireland has already been hit by the storm this lunchtime and as the centre of the low moves across the UK, it is the winds on its southern flank which are causing the concerns. These winds are generally Southwesterly, speeding up the Celtic and Irish Seas (less friction to hold back the air over water, than land). They will then hit the west coast of Wales, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Gwynedd and Anglesey all being particular exposed.
Peak of storm: Pembrokeshire 2pm til 5pm along coast to Gwynedd/Anglesey 4pm til 6pm.
By this evening, the most vicious winds will be battering NW England, veering more Westerly which allows the winds to have an uninterrupted path onto the west coast from Merseyside up to Cumbria.
Peak of storm NW England 7pm till 9pm.
