Conall - Dutch named windstorm preceded by rain for southern England

After Storm Bert, the next name on the list is Conall. Bert was named by Met Eireann due to red warnings of heavy rain. The UK was also severely impacted by heavy rain, flooding and snow on Saturday. The strong winds lasted into Monday as the disruption from flooding continues this week.  Also in the Western (storm) naming group is KNMI, the Dutch National Meteorological Institute and they have named a low pressure which will skirt over southern England tonight but impact the Netherlands later on Wednesday.

Forecast wind gusts from KNMI

‘Storms for which the KNMI issues a code orange or red for wind have been given a name since 2019. Sometimes, a storm can also be named under code yellow, such as now with Storm Conall.   We expect (very) heavy wind gusts in the west and the north of the country with a lot of impact, which is why we are giving the storm a name.’ KNMI

The warnings are for Wednesday 27th November and concerns continue into the night, particularly along the low-lying coastal regions.

Before the main deepening of this low, it will move across southern Britain tonight with heavy rain forecast.

“Given recent wet weather, some disruption to travel and infrastructure is likely.” MO.

Further north it will be quiet and cold with frost and the risk of freezing fog in places. Quite a contrast. There are yellow rain warnings over two regions in the far south of England for Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

This low pressure will deepen significantly over the North Sea bringing a windy afternoon to East Anglia and Kent before clearing on Wednesday evening. However, this is when the Netherlands will face the full force of Storm Conall. We are coming up to spring tides, although not especially high ones. There will be a push of water in the southern North Sea from the low and the onshore winds towards the coasts of the Netherlands. 

The yellow warnings say that traffic and outdoor activities may be affected by this. ‘The wind comes from directions between west and northwest. Strong gusts of 100-120 km/h (62-75mph) up to 130km/h (80mph) for coastal areas, further inland 80-100 km/h.’

So although the main impacts are for the Netherlands later on Wednesday, there will be unwelcome heavy rain for southern England tonight into Wednesday morning and blustery winds at times. The low is forecast to deepen once it is away from eastern England but some of the models do show severe gusts and strong winds very close to the NE Norfolk and N Suffolk coasts on Wednesday afternoon.

KNMI Yellow - Chance of dangerous weather. These weather situations require extra attention, especially whilst on the road.

Amber - High chance of dangerous weather. These are weather situations where the impact is major.

Red - Weather alert for dangerous weather situation.

More discussion on Storm Conall in the Netweather community forum

Storm names for the 2024/25 season for the Western naming group