UK Storm Warning Update

By Paul Homewood

 

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/438817/Lightning-strikes-as-biggest-storm-since-1987-sweeps-in

 

It appears that the Express’s “Storm of the Century” has now morphed into the “Worst since 1987.”

However, Jonathan Powell, of Vantage Weather Services, still maintains “This is a very brutal weather system. A repeat of 1987 is highly likely.”

 

Meanwhile the Met Office have for the first time issued a Severe Weather Warning.

 

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/#?tab=warnings&regionName=se&fcTime=1382918400

 

Such strong storms are relatively rare in Southern England, compared to the north and Scotland. Storms with 80 mph gusts are pretty much annual events in the latter.

The strongest storm of recent years down south was in March 2008. From the Met archives:

 

10 March 2008

On 10 March 2008, a deep area of low pressure moved east across southern Ireland, central Wales and Lincolnshire, with the southern half of England and Wales worst affected by strong winds. The lowest pressure on the 6-hourly analysis charts was 946 hPa to the west of Ireland at 00 UTC on 10 March 2008 (see chart below). There was disruption to transport and power supplies, with restrictions imposed on several major bridges, including the old Severn and the Tamar bridges, with the QE2 and Sheppey crossings closed. Cross-Channel ferry crossings were cancelled and 30,000 homes suffered a loss of power. The combination of strong winds, low pressure and a high tide, resulted in coastal flooding at several places on the south coast.

 

 

 

The following day, it was the turn of the northern half of the country to feel the brunt.

 

On 11/12 March 2008, a further deep area of low pressure moved east across southern Scotland. This time, Northern England, N Wales and N Ireland bore the brunt of the strongest winds. Again there was transport and power supply disruption, with the M6 closed at the Thelwall viaduct and restrictions on the Humber bridge. Damage to buildings and trees also occurred widely.

 

 

 

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/march2008

 

Notes

1) 70 knots = 80 mph, so the current forecast suggests something similar to 2008.

2) Note also that the recorded gusts were the “highest since 2006 and 2007”.

So not that unusual then!