Met Office name Storm Antoni with risk to life in South West

The Met Office’s first named storm of the year is set to batter the South West this weekend, forecasters have confirmed. Storm Antoni is set to bring gales of 65mph to coastal areas with people warned there is a possible “danger to life”.

The storm is part of a severe weather warning for wind which covers parts of England and Wales, including Dorset and Wiltshire, from 8am through to 8pm tomorrow (August 5). Disruption is expected across these hours with flying debris leading to warnings of injuries or endangering lives.

Experts at the Met Office described the weather conditions as “unseasonably windy”. Along with the strong winds, many areas are expected to have rain throughout the weekend.

The Met Office said the following can be expected during the warning period:

• Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible.
• Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen.
• Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.
• Some roads and bridges may close.
• Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.
• Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

The Met Office said in its update: “An area of low pressure, Storm Antoni, will bring unseasonably windy conditions to south and south western areas of England and Wales during Saturday. Strong winds are likely to affect Irish Sea coastal areas from early morning, pushing gradually south and east and spreading inland.

Met Office warning for wind covering the South West on Saturday, August 5, between 8am and 8pm (Image: Met Office/OpenMapTiles)

“By the afternoon English Channel coasts will also see some very windy conditions. Gusts of 35-40mph are expected widely, with 50-55mph along coastal stretches across the warning area.

“The strongest winds, however, will affect parts of southwest Wales and southwest England, where gusts could reach 50-55mph inland for a time and perhaps 60-65mph along exposed coastal areas and over high ground. Later in the afternoon and through the early evening, wind strengths will begin to slowly ease from the west.”

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington added: “Storm Antoni will bring some potentially disruptive weather on Saturday as it moves from west to east. Northern Ireland is likely to see some of the highest rainfall totals, with 40-60mm falling in some spots, but 20-30 more widely. Away from the warning area many will still see a very wet day, especially in north Wales and north England.

“Storm Antoni will also bring strong winds to a swathe of Wales, southwest England and southern coastal areas of England. The strongest winds will affect parts southwest England and southwest Wales where exposed coasts and high ground could see gusts in excess of 60mph.

“In these areas, gusts inland could reach 50-55mph for a time. These windy conditions will likely coincide with high tides which will present an additional challenge for coastal areas.

“Busy travel networks at this time of year and the possibility of people having made plans to be outside have resulted in the system meeting our criteria for naming, with a strong chance of disruption for those within the warning areas.”

South West England five-day weather forecast from the Met Office

Today: Mostly dry bar a few early showers. Cloud breaking with sunny spells becoming more prevalent by late morning. Breezy at times but winds easing later. Feeling pleasant in any sunshine. Maximum temperature 21 °C.

Tonight: Any late sunny spells turning hazier as cloud builds through the evening. Rain arriving in the early hours of Saturday. Increasingly windy with the chance of coastal gales by dawn. Minimum temperature 12 °C.

Saturday, August 5: Rain clearing during the morning with isolated showers following. Gusty throughout with wind strengths peaking late morning into the afternoon; severe coastal gales are possible for Devon and Somerset. Maximum temperature 19 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday: Calmer on Sunday and Monday with sunny spells and scattered showers. Potential for further rain on Tuesday. Feeling rather cool but pleasant in any sunnier moments.

References

1. ^{^} Pollution alert as swimmers warned to stay out of West Country lake (www.bristolpost.co.uk)