Britain braces for Storm Agnes: Satellite image shows storm hurtling …
Britain braces for Storm Agnes: Satellite image shows storm hurtling across the UK as planes struggle to land and Ireland is battered with 75mph gale force winds – and forecasters warn ‘the worst is yet to come’
Forecasters have warned the ‘worst is yet to come’ as Storm Agnes hurtles towards the UK, bringing with it potentially life-threatening winds and heavy rain.
Agnes battered the south coast of Ireland earlier today with 70mph gale force winds and lashing rain, with the huge weather front set to hit areas of northern England and Scotland later tonight.
The Met Office[5] has issued a string of weather warnings from 12pm as the first named storm of the season makes landfall with 80mph winds and 2.4in (60mm) of rain.
Agnes has already caused travel chaos with 11 flights axed today between London[6], Manchester or the Isle of Man and Belfast [7], Dublin or Cork as planes struggled to land.
First making landfall in south west Ireland, strong winds ripped off the roof of buildings in the coastal town of Youghal, County Cork. While in Dublin a huge tree has been uprooted, blocking one of the city’s roads.
But in a worrying prediction, Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said: ‘Some of the worst conditions are still to come.
‘The rain warnings are out to cover through the evening and the wind warnings are into the overnight period…We are looking at high gusts developing.’
The comment came as incredible satellite imagery revealed how Agnes has engulfed Ireland and is now charging across the Irish Sea to pummel the rest of the UK.
A stunning satellite image has captured Storm Agnes as it makes its way across Ireland to the UK
The scene in Youghal, County Cork, where a roof has been blown from a building as Storm Agnes hit Ireland
High winds and heavy rain arrived in West Yorkshire today as Storm Agnes made landfall in the UK. Pictured is a plane landing at Leeds Bradford Airport on Wednesday
A fallen tree on Thornleigh Road in Swords, Dublin, as Storm Agnes continues to pummel Ireland
Gusts of up to 65mph were recorded hitting the southern tip of Ireland as the storm rolled over towards the UK (pictured are cars travelling in Youghal, County Cor)
The storm hit Northern Ireland this afternoon, causing power cuts and flights canceled at Belfast Airport, with cross-border train services disrupted.
Weather alerts include a wind warning until 7am on Thursday stretching across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as the south-west of England, the West Midlands and most of the north of England.
Gusts of 53mph were recorded in the Isles of Scilly on Wednesday and ‘well into the 40mph (zone)’ across parts of Cornwall and parts of Wales, but ‘the winds are picking up’, Mr Petagna said.
He added: ‘This evening’s rush hour could be quite tricky in some north and north-western areas of the UK, as it is expected to coincide with expected periods of strong wind and rain.’
There are also rain warnings for much of Scotland through to Thursday at 3am.
Just after midday on Wednesday the Met Office tweeted: ‘Gusts of 65-70 mph have already been recorded in southwest Ireland.
‘Strong winds are expected to affect much of the UK as the storm tracks northeastwards this afternoon.’
Agnes has already caused travel chaos in the air, with British Airways[8] services between Heathrow[9] and Dublin, easyJet planes between Gatwick[10] and Belfast and Aer Lingus[11] routes between Dublin and Manchester cancelled, according to FlightRadar24 tracking website.
Ryanair has warned of ‘significant delays’ to and from Ireland due to Agnes, which comes on top of Gatwick cancellations due to air traffic control staff sickness[12].
People brave the heavy rain and strong winds in Liverpool this afternoon as Storm Agnes hits
Emergency services remove a fallen tree today near Blackrock in Cork, Republic of Ireland
A van is driven through floodwater in Cork today as Storm Agnes hits the Republic of Ireland
P&O Ferries said all sailings between Liverpool and Dublin had been cancelled, as well as some departures from Larne in Northern Ireland[13] and Cairnryan in Scotland.
Ferries between the Isle of Man and Lancashire were also axed, while Devon boat trips in Torquay, Brixham and Dartmouth were called off. Avanti West Coast and ScotRail were among the train operators warning of possible disruption today.
Meanwhile in Scotland, the National Rail is imposing speed limits in some parts of the country set to be hit hardest by the storm.
A string of Met Office alerts will activate today, with a yellow wind warning from midday today until 7am tomorrow across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as the South-West of England, the West Midlands and most of northern England.
Flights cancelled today between England and Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland
Here is a list of all flight cancellations so far today across the British Isles:
- 8.20am BA832 London Heathrow – Dublin (British Airways)
- 9:20am BA833 Dublin – London Heathrow (British Airways)
- 11.15am EI162 Dublin – London Heathrow (Aer Lingus)
- 11.45am EI712 Cork – London Heathrow (Aer Lingus)
- 12.10pm U2825 London Gatwick – Belfast (easyJet)
- 12.40pm U2826 Belfast – London Gatwick (easyJet)
- 12.50pm EI208 Dublin – Manchester (Aer Lingus)
- 3.10pm EI3216 Dublin – Isle of Man (Aer Lingus)
- 3.10pm EI715 London Heathrow – Cork (Aer Lingus)
- 3.25pm EI209 Manchester – Dublin (Aer Lingus)
- 5.20pm EI3217 Isle of Man – Dublin (Aer Lingus)
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Forecasters warned the storm could cause power cuts, transport delays and damage to buildings.
Meanwhile, flying debris could pose a danger to life.
Only southern England is set to be spared from Agnes, and it is likely to stay dry in the South-East with temperatures of up to 23C (73F) today.
There are also two yellow rain warnings covering areas of southern and central Scotland from 3pm today until midnight.
A Ryanair spokesman said in a message to passengers on its website: ‘Significant delays to/from Ireland on Wed 27 and Thurs 28 Sept due to Storm Agnes.
‘Affected passengers will be notified and any passengers travelling to/from Ireland on Wed 27 Sept / Thurs 28 Sept should check their Ryanair app for flight updates before travelling to the airport.
‘We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers as a result of this storm which is outside of Ryanair’s control and affects all airlines operating to/from Ireland on Wed 27 Sept and Thurs 28 Sept.’
Meanwhile ScotRail issued a warning about possible train timetable changes if track speed restrictions are brought in.
The rail operator posted on X: ‘Storm Agnes will bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to Scotland (today) and into Thursday with the potential to cause disruption. There may be changes to some of our services if Network Rail introduce train speed limits for safety reasons. Check before you travel.’
Avanti West Coast also warned of disruption, saying: ‘Storm Agnes is on its way. We’ll do everything we can to keep services running, but with heavy rains and high winds expected some journeys may be impacted from this afternoon until tomorrow morning. Please check before you travel.’
Devon County Council said it had brought in extra control centre staff to monitor the road network, while Devon Highways has placed extra teams on standby.
It comes as satellites images from space showed the storm front sweeping over Ireland and much of the UK.
Rough seas at Clontarf boat slipway in Dublin today as Storm Agnes lands in Ireland
Storm Agnes sweeps into the Republic of Ireland today as heavy rain falls over Cork city centre
People brave the heavy rain and strong winds in Liverpool this afternoon as Storm Agnes hits
The latest satellite imagery shows the huge weather front rolling in across Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland
A man walks along Bull Wall in Dublin today as Storm Agnes hits the Republic of Ireland
People walk on the Clontarf promenade in Dublin today as Agnes hits the Republic of Ireland
A man struggles with his umbrella in Dublin city centre this afternoon as Storm Agnes lands
Surfer Seth Morris makes the most of the big waves at Broad Haven in Pembrokeshire today
The RAC issued guidance for drivers and warned against driving on coastal and upland routes for motorists not used to such conditions.
Its spokesman Rod Dennis told MailOnline: ‘The Met Office’s latest forecast suggests drivers will feel some short but sharp effects of Storm Agnes later on Wednesday and into Thursday.
‘Gusty winds are likely to be the biggest feature, so avoiding exposed coastal and upland routes is a good idea for anyone less confident driving in these sorts of conditions.
‘Driving more slowly with both hands on the steering wheel, and taking particular care when overtaking high-sided vehicles to avoid being buffeted, is a must. Anyone towing or carrying loads on the roof should also ensure they’re properly secured before setting out.’
Yesterday the storm underwent ‘explosive cyclogenesis’ – also known as a weather bomb – as it crossed the Atlantic bound for the UK.
The phenomenon can lead to violent winds forming around a weather system, and forecasters said it was expected to ‘rapidly intensify’.
Nick Powell, AA patrol of the year, said: ‘Many places across the UK are likely to see strong winds this week and it’s very likely trees and debris will be littering the roads. Drivers should be very cautious, especially in rural or woody areas.
‘If you see twigs or small branches on the road it could be a sign that a tree has fallen just around the bend, so pay extra attention to the path up ahead.
A person walks along the Clontarf promenade in Dublin this afternoon as Storm Agnes lands
A car is driven through floodwater in Cork today as Storm Agnes hits the Republic of Ireland
People brave the heavy rain and strong winds in Liverpool this afternoon as Storm Agnes hits
Storm Agnes hits West Cork this morning as strong waves crash into the coast at Rosscarbery
A man walks along Bull Wall in Dublin today as Storm Agnes hits the Republic of Ireland
Emergency services remove a fallen tree near Blackrock in Cork, Republic of Ireland today
People brave the heavy rain and strong winds in Liverpool this afternoon as Storm Agnes hits
Strong waves crash into Owenahinchain in West Cork this morning as Storm Agnes hits Ireland
‘As always in windy weather, leave plenty of space behind other vehicles and adjust your speed to suit the conditions, especially when crossing bridges or passing high-sided vehicles. Those on two wheels are especially vulnerable to strong winds, so you should pass these with care.
Full details of the Met Office warnings today
WIND WARNING
WEDNESDAY 12PM – THURSDAY 7AM
Storm Agnes to bring a spell of strong and disruptive winds through Wednesday afternoon into early Thursday
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible
- Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen
- Some power cuts are likely to occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. Some roads and bridges are likely to close
- There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life that could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, with a chance of some minor flooding of coastal roads
FURTHER DETAILS
Storm Agnes will approach southwest Ireland early on Wednesday and track northeast across Northern Ireland and Scotland before clearing on Thursday morning. Whilst there is still some uncertainty in the exact track and depth of Agnes, gusts of 45-55 mph are expected widely inland and 50-60 mph over hills and around coasts. The strongest winds are expected to affect Northern Ireland, southwest Scotland, west and northwest Wales, Cumbria and Lancashire where some places inland may see gusts of 60 mph and 65-75 mph over hills and around coasts. These are most likely during the second half of Wednesday afternoon and through the evening.
RAIN WARNING
WEDNESDAY 3PM – MIDNIGHT
A period of heavy rain during Wednesday afternoon and evening may cause some flooding in a few places
WHAT TO EXPECT
Flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely.
Some bus and train services probably affected, with journey times by road also taking longer with a chance of the odd road closure.
FURTHER DETAILS
An area of rainfall, accompanied by very strong winds, is likely to arrive from the south on Wednesday afternoon with 30-50 mm, and perhaps in a few spots 60 mm, of rain building up on areas of higher ground within the warning area. Given that this is forecast to follow an already very wet period of weather which will not have had much time to dry out, as well as the fact that the strong winds could exacerbate any flooding by blocking drains and gullies with leaves and other debris, some flooding of roads and perhaps the odd property in very flood prone areas is possible. Rain will ease by the early hours of Thursday morning.
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‘There may be delays so make sure you bring essentials with you on your journey, even if it is only short, such as warm layers, food and drink and a fully charged mobile phone.’
Storm Agnes, which was described as ‘intensifying quickly’ in the Atlantic last night, is expected to generate winds of up to 80mph and cause dangerous conditions along coastlines, especially Irish Sea coastlines. Its main impact will be strong winds and large waves.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: ‘We are likely to potentially see some damaging winds, the possibility of some brief power interruptions, particularly in Irish sea coastal areas.
‘So Northern Ireland, North-West England, West Wales, and South-West Scotland, that’s where we’ll probably see gusts of up to 75mph this afternoon, this evening, that’s when the peak of the winds will be and then Storm Agnes will move across Scotland clearing away from Shetland through Thursday morning.’
He added: ‘In addition to the winds, there’s going to be some large waves as well, so some big stormy seas, and therefore there might well be some coastal flooding where the waves break on to promenades and on to coastal roads.’
The Met Office said a ‘wide swathe’ of the country could be affected by winds gusting at 50 to 60mph.
But forecasters added: ‘Some Irish Sea coasts could see gusts of 65 to 75mph, with a small chance of 80mph gusts on the most exposed coasts and headlands.’
The gales are set to be accompanied by cloud and spells of heavy rain.
Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said: ‘As well as some very strong winds for many, Storm Agnes will also bring some heavy rain, with the highest totals more likely in Scotland, northern England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
‘Around 60mm (2.4in) of rain is possible in a few places over high ground in Scotland.’
The storm is likely to cause ‘dangerous conditions’ on the coasts around the UK and Ireland, according to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
They advised staying a ‘safe distance’ away from the water and cliff edges to avoid being knocked over or washed into the sea.
Lifeboat charity the RNLI is urging people to stay away from cliff edges and rough seas as Storm Agnes batters the UK.
Sam Hughes, RNLI water safety partner added: ‘It is not worth risking your life.
‘If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them. Don’t go in the water yourself – you may end up in difficulty too.’
HM Coastguard issued a similar warning, expressing concern that ‘people may underestimate the power of the sea, to their ultimate cost’.
Disruption to ferry services across the Irish Sea, bridge closures, power cuts and ‘small amounts’ of damage to buildings are also expected.
Agnes will be ‘more widespread’ than the last named storm to hit the UK, Storm Betty, but it will not produce ‘significant widespread and long-lasting travel disruption’, it is understood.
Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible, along with a ‘small chance’ of such risks from large waves and beach material being thrown on to sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, the Met Office added.
The Met Office said: ‘Whilst there is still some uncertainty in the exact track and depth of Agnes, gusts of 45-55 mph are expected widely inland and 50-60 mph over hills and around coasts.
‘The strongest winds are expected to affect eastern parts of Northern Ireland, southwest Scotland, west and northwest Wales, Cumbria and Lancashire where some inland locations may see gusts of 50 to 60 mph, and perhaps 65-75 mph over hills and around some coasts.
‘The strongest gusts are most likely during the second half of Wednesday afternoon and through the evening.’
The storm is likely to cause ‘dangerous conditions’ on the coasts around the UK and Ireland, according to The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
A car is driven through floodwater in Cork today as Storm Agnes hits the Republic of Ireland
People brave the heavy rain and strong winds in Liverpool this afternoon as Storm Agnes hits
Emergency services remove a fallen tree near Blackrock in Cork, Republic of Ireland today
People brave the heavy rain and strong winds in Liverpool this afternoon as Storm Agnes hits
A misty start to the day in the Oxfordshire countryside at Dunsden this morning
Storm clouds brew above a boat at Heacham in Norfolk yesterday before Agnes sweeps in
They advised staying a ‘safe distance’ away from the water and cliff edges.
Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Commander Bev Allen said: ‘The first few storms of the autumn and winter are always a little frightening for us, as people are still in summer mode, the power of the waves can take them by surprise.
‘We would encourage people to stay away from the water’s edge in stormy weather – it’s not worth risking your life for that selfie. Keep off groynes, piers, jetties and harbour walls. If you can feel the spray, you’re too close.’
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: ‘Storm Agnes is the first storm of the year and it’s expected to bring some disruption to the transport network, so we’d ask people who are looking to travel to plan their journeys ahead of time.’
Tomorrow, most parts of the UK will be poised for a ‘much calmer’ forecast and further spells of wet and breezy weather should peter out by the end of the week for a drier weekend.
The stormy forecast comes just over three weeks since Britain was enjoying a record-breaking September heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 30C (86F) for seven days in a row.
It included the UK’s hottest day of the year, when 32.6C (90.7F) was recorded in Wisley, Surrey, on September 7.
The Met Office records storms over a 12-month period from each September.
During the last year there were four named storms – Otto in February, Noa in April, plus Antoni and Betty – both during August – but there were none during last autumn or early part of the winter.
Storm Noa was the ‘most significant April storm’ since 2013, with the highest gusts of 96mph recorded at the Needles Old Battery, Isle of Wight, setting a new record for the month in England. The three other storms brought spells of wind and heavy rain.
References
- ^ Mark Duell (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Tom Cotterill (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Richard Marsden (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Krissy Storrar (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Met Office (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ London (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Belfast (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ British Airways (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Heathrow (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Gatwick (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Aer Lingus (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Gatwick cancellations due to air traffic control staff sickness (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Northern Ireland (www.dailymail.co.uk)