This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7291170.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Second storm batters northern UK Second storm batters northern UK
(about 1 hour later)
Northern Ireland, north Wales and north-west England are being pounded by gales and heavy rain in the second band of storms to hit the UK in three days.Northern Ireland, north Wales and north-west England are being pounded by gales and heavy rain in the second band of storms to hit the UK in three days.
Forecasters say gusts of up to 80mph have hit Northern Ireland as the Atlantic weather front moves eastwards.Forecasters say gusts of up to 80mph have hit Northern Ireland as the Atlantic weather front moves eastwards.
Strong winds coupled with rain and snow have prompted the Met Office to issue a severe weather warning. Motorists faced chaos as several major bridges were affected by the gales and some areas were placed on flood alert.
The second day of the prestigious Cheltenham horse racing festival has been abandoned because of high winds. The second day of the prestigious Cheltenham horse racing festival has been abandoned because of the weather.
Although the course is in good condition, fierce winds made the huge marquees in the tented hospitality area unsafe. The course is in good condition but fierce winds made the huge marquees in the tented hospitality area unsafe.
The 55,000 people expected to attend the day's racing will get a full refund and the course is considering increasing its capacity for the rest of the week.
Travel chaos
In Cheshire, the M6 Thelwall Viaduct closed after three lorries overturned but there were no casualties.
The vehicles have been cleared but the eight-lane stretch of the motorway spanning the Mersey and the Manchester ship canal is still closed at Thelwall because of the danger from high winds.
The winds will start to abate as the morning goes on but it will be very slow Steve CrosthwaiteHighways Agency Cheltenham races called off
High-sided vehicles are being advised against using the A533 Runcorn-Widnes bridge.
The Humber Bridge is shut to high-sided vehicles and has a 30mph speed limit for all other vehicles.
Some 750 homes have been left without power in Northern Ireland, and gusts of 85mph have been recorded in north Wales
A tree fell on to a coach in high winds on the A26 near Uckfield in East Sussex at 0735 GMT.
Sussex Police said the vehicle was empty apart from the driver, and no one was injured.
Severe galesSevere gales
The M6 Thelwall Viaduct closed after three lorries overturned but there were no casualties. Ian Jackson, from Liverpool coastguard, said the storms were likely to continue in the North West for most of the day.
The vehicles have been cleared but the motorway is still closed at Thelwall because of the danger from high winds. He said: "The forecast is for the wind to decrease to force five, then perhaps come up again to force seven later on today."
The A533 Runcorn-Widnes bridge has been closed because of an overturned lorry. Steve Crosthwaite, of the Highways Agency, is tracking the progress of the storm.
He said: "The winds will start to abate as the morning goes on but it will be very slow.
"But as the winds go over the Pennines, round about late morning and early afternoon, the eastern side of the country will start getting hit as well."
The Met Office has warnings of severe gales for all of the UK except northern Scotland and southern England.The Met Office has warnings of severe gales for all of the UK except northern Scotland and southern England.
The Environment Agency has five flood warnings and 30 flood watches in place.
Snow riskSnow risk
BBC weather forecasters say the storm will move into north-west England by the early morning rush-hour, gusting on coasts to as much as 85mph, and 65-75mph inland. The Environment Agency has five flood warnings and 25 flood watches in place.
The west coast, including Cumbria, Lancashire, north Wales, west Wales and possibly the Bristol Channel are most at risk. BBC weather forecasters say a low pressure front could even bring snow to higher ground in parts of northern England and southern Scotland.
A low pressure front could bring snow to higher ground in parts of northern England and southern Scotland. Later on Wednesday, the storms will move across central northern England and East Anglia.
Later on Wednesday the storms will move across central northern England and East Anglia.
Areas further south, which are still clearing up after Monday's storms, escaped the worst of the weather this time.Areas further south, which are still clearing up after Monday's storms, escaped the worst of the weather this time.
The Energy Networks Association said of the 30,000 people who lost power in those storms just "a few hundred" in the east of England were still without supplies.
Have you been affected by the latest storms? Has your home or property been damaged? Send us your comments using the form below.
Have you been affected by the latest storms? Has your home or property been damaged? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
 Name