Storm Darragh latest: Winter Wonderland to shut amid 90mph winds and rare Met Office red weather warning

Rare red warning issued as UK braces for Storm Darragh Morning Headlines

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Winter Wonderland [1] will close on Saturday after the Met Office [2] issued its most extreme red weather [3] warning, as Storm Darragh strikes the UK. Life-threatening 90mph winds are expected to hit Wales [4] and parts of southwestern England in the red warning area, with forecasters warning of significant disruption to travel and damage to buildings.

Winter Wonderland's official X account said it is "sorry for any disappointment caused", and that it expects to reopen on Sunday. An emergency alert was sent to millions of mobile phones in south west England and Wales on Friday afternoon, warning people of "flying debris, falling trees and large waves around coastal areas". It was the largest real-life use of the emergency alert sysytem.

A yellow warning for rain will be in place for Northern Ireland and Wales until 12pm Saturday, while two amber alerts for wind are in force throughout most of Saturday. Swathes of Scotland are also subject to an alert for snow from Friday evening until 9am Saturday morning, with up to 20cm expected. Rhondda Cynon Taf, where between 200 and 300 properties were flooded during Storm Bert last month [5], is set to be hit by heavy rain once again.

Storm Darragh map: When and where UK will be hit by 90mph winds and rain from tonight

The warning is in place from 3am to 11am on Saturday, covering western and southern coastal regions of Wales and the Bristol Channel in England.

Red weather [6] warnings are the most serious type of warning. The Met Office [7] only issues them when meteorologists believe that dangerous, potentially life-threatening weather is expected imminently. Yellow wind warnings are in place for large parts of the UK on Friday, with amber warnings covering the west coast of England and Wales, as well as Northern Ireland, on Saturday morning.

With several weather warnings [8] for wind and rain covering different areas at different times, The Independent has highlighted which areas will be affected. See the affected areas: Alex Croft6 December 2024 18:43

Winter Wonderland to close on Saturday

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland will be closed on Saturday due to strong winds, it announced.

"In line with the Royal Parks' closure of Hyde Park due to high winds, we will not be opening Hyde Park Winter Wonderland on Saturday 7th December 2024," Winter Wonderland's official X account said. "The safety of our visitors and staff are our top priority and we are sorry for any disappointment caused. All affected ticket holders have been contacted directly and will have the opportunity to reschedule or refund their tickets.

"Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will be open until 5th January 2024 and there is currently plenty of availability throughout the rest of the event. "With better weather forecast on Sunday, we anticipate operating as normal and look forward to welcoming you. Please keep an eye on our official channels for further updates."

Alex Croft6 December 2024 18:17

Liverpool fans advised to 'remain alert' before match on Saturday

Liverpool FC has advised its fans to "remain alert" and "take extra care" before their away Merseyside derby fixture at Everton's Goodison Park. The club said in a statement: "Supporters attending Saturday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park are advised to allow extra time for travel and remain alert to Met Office weather warnings. "An amber severe wind warning has been issued by the Met Office for Merseyside from 1am GMT on Saturday, with wind gusts of 60mph to 70mph likely.

The warning for wind is expected to remain in place until 6am on Sunday. "Given the weather warning, fans are advised to allow extra time for their journey and take extra care. "Supporters are also advised to keep a close eye on travel and weather guidance in their area to assist with travel planning for the Premier League fixture (12.30pm kick-off)."

Alex Croft6 December 2024 18:07

Tornadoes possible, says storm research body

Tornadoes could strike the UK as Storm Darragh prepares to wreak havoc, a storm research body has said. "Wind gusts to around 70-75mph could accompany the stronger cores, and one or tornadoes are possible too," said the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro), a privatrely-supported and volunteer-led research body which specialises in severe convective weather in Britain and Ireland. The entirety of Ireland, Wales, and most of England - barring parts of the north and east - are expected to be in affected areas, according to a map published by Torro in its update on Friday afternoon.

Alex Croft6 December 2024 17:48

Christmas market cancelled due to dangerous winds

A christmas market in Chiswick has been cancelled as a result of the dangerous winds amid Storm Darragh. The christmas market was set to offer handmade gifts, jewellery, christmas carols sung by a performing arts choir, and story telling by Santa himself. But the kids booked in with the big red man will have to reschedule their appointments, with heavy winds prompting organisers to call off the festive event.

Xanthe Arvanitakis, director of Chiswick House & Gardens Trust, told Chiswick Calendar: "It's really disappointing, but what can we do? We've been told winds of 40mph are expected, which just makes it too dangerous to open the park." "We have lost that income, but also the stallholders will have lost the opportunity to earn money.

We are doing everything we can, we hope the public will understand." Alex Croft6 December 2024 17:24

Welsh deputy FM urges residents to take extreme care as red warning issued

Welsh deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies has warned there may be very significant impacts from the storm and urged people to take extreme care this weekend. "Red warnings are issued when there is a potential threat to life, and therefore it is essential that people in Wales heed the warnings and take very great care if they are travelling on Saturday," he said.

"Welsh local authorities, emergency services and Natural Resources Wales have activated their preparedness structures in readiness for Storm Darragh. I urge people to make sure they are aware of the warning levels for their local area and to follow all official advice." Andy Gregory6 December 2024 16:53

What travel disruption is forecast so far?

With winds of up to 90mph forecast along some coastal areas, Stena Line said the storm would be "impacting" some ferries over the coming days, and Bristol Airport said disruption was expected.

National Rail said the storm is likely to affect services across the whole network, advising people to check their journey in full before travelling as it may mean last services of the day are cancelled and passengers may not reach their destination. Andy Gregory6 December 2024 16:22

Longleat Safari Park closed on Saturday due to Storm Darragh

Longleat Safari Park will be closed to visitors on Saturay as Storm Darragh batters the country. The Swindon Advertiser quoted a spokesperson for the Wiltshire safari park as saying: "We are sorry but due to the weather forecast, we have taken the decision to close on Saturday to ensure you are kept safe ...

We are currently planning to re-open on Sunday. If that changes we will update our website and social media." The park is home to 120 species, including aardvarks, elephants, crocodiles, lions and cheetahs.

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park is closing on Saturday (PA Media)

Andy Gregory6 December 2024 15:57

All football in Wales cancelled as Storm Darragh to batter country

As Storm Darragh batters the UK, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced that all football matches scheduled for Saturday 7 December have been postponed.

The Met Office has issued its most extreme red weather warning, with Storm Darragh bringing life-threatening 90mph winds in Wales and parts of southwestern England. The FAW have followed advice from the Met Office to call off all Saturday football in the country, with Friday and Sunday matches set to be considered on a case-by-case basis. My colleague Luke Baker has more details here:

Andy Gregory6 December 2024 15:30

HM Coastguard issues warning over dangerously large waves

HM Coastguard has issued a warning to stay well away from the coast as winds are expected to reach up to 90mph in areas with exposed coastlines.

Andy Gregory6 December 2024 15:10

References

^ Winter Wonderland (www.independent.co.uk)
^ Met Office (www.independent.co.uk)
^ weather (www.independent.co.uk)
^ Wales (www.independent.co.uk)
^ were flooded during Storm Bert last month (www.independent.co.uk)
^ weather (www.independent.co.uk)
^ Met Office (www.independent.co.uk)
^ weather warnings (www.independent.co.uk)