70mph winds and rain set to cause transport nightmare before Christmas

Heavy rain and strong winds of up to 70mph are set to batter the southwest of England in the coming days, bringing widespread traffic disruption.

The Met Office is forecasting powerful southeasterly gusts to develop across the South West on Wednesday afternoon, later spreading into the west of Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of southwest Scotland.

Wind speeds of between 60mph and 70mph are predicted for exposed coastal areas and over high ground, where people are being advised there could be disruption.

Large waves are likely on sea fronts and near coastal communities, with delays likely to affect transport by rail, air, ferry and road – especially high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges.

Some short term loss of power and other services is also possible, according to the Met Office.

There is a yellow weather warning in place for Wednesday and Thursday, covering the following regions:

• Northern Ireland
  • County Antrim
  • County Armagh
  • County Down
  • County Fermanagh
  • County Londonderry
  • County Tyrone
• Scotland
  • Dumfries and Galloway
• England
  • Cornwall
  • Devon
  • Isles of Scilly
  • Plymouth
  • Somerset
  • Torbay
• Strathclyde
  • Argyll and Bute
  • North Ayrshire
  • South Ayrshire
• Wales
  • Bridgend
  • Carmarthenshire
  • Ceredigion
  • Conwy
  • Gwynedd
  • Isle of Anglesey
  • Neath Port Talbot
  • Pembrokeshire
  • Powys
  • Swansea
  • Vale of Glamorgan

Heavy rain is also being forecast for southwestern areas and Northern Ireland on Wednesday, with more showers to come on Thursday and Friday.

Two inches of rain could fall in just 12 hours from 2pm in the South West on Wednesday.

The Environment Agency currently has 11 flood warnings in place, meaning flooding is expected, with most of them issued along the River Severn.

There are an additional 98 flood alerts in place across England, meaning flooding is possible.

Despite the warnings in place for this week, the rough weather conditions are expected to ease off by Christmas.

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: “Calmer weather is coming, with temperatures rising over the next couple of days in the build-up to Christmas.

“Christmas Day will most likely be cold and dry with milder than average conditions expected.”

Source : Sky News : http://news.sky.com/story/uk-weather-70mph-winds-and-rain-to-cause-transport-nightmare-before-christmas-11888927