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Britain braced as gales move in Britain battered by summer gales
(about 2 hours later)
Gales have begun to batter parts of Britain, with further high winds and heavy rain forecast. Rare summer gales are battering parts of the UK, with storm force winds at sea and gusts reaching more than 60mph on land.
Gusts of up to 55mph have hit the Lleyn Peninsula, north-west Wales, while the Pennines have seen 50mph winds. The worst affected are north Wales, northern England and the Midlands.
The storms - with winds which could reach 65mph - are expected to affect north Wales, northern England, the Midlands and East Anglia. Blackpool Airport recorded a gust of 63mph at lunchtime, while major cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds have seen winds of around 50mph.
BBC forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said heavy rain would fall over Scotland, with heavy showers in other regions. BBC forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said the winds would not significantly ease until early evening.
He said northern Wales and and much of northern England were expected to be worst affected. "So far the strongest winds - storm force 10 - have been on Irish Sea coasts," he said.
Northern Ireland could see localised gusts of between 40mph and 50mph. "However, damage to trees was reported as early as this morning in parts of Shropshire and Derby."
He added: "It's fairly rare to have a full blown gale like this in the summer months and much of the country has had a very windy day today."
Public transport may be effected with lying debris on roads and rail Tomasz Schafernaker BBC forecasterPublic transport may be effected with lying debris on roads and rail Tomasz Schafernaker BBC forecaster
"Morecambe Bay and Blackpool may be quite stormy for a time this afternoon and the heavy weather may not subside until the evening," he said. The storms - with winds which could reach 65mph - may also reach East Anglia.
"The north-west coasts of England may have the strongest winds but inland areas are also at risk of gales. Northern Ireland could see localised gusts of between 40mph and 50mph.
"The north Midlands and East Anglia may also have gales but the effects should be to a lesser extent." In addition, Mr Schafernaker said heavy rain would fall over Scotland, with heavy showers in other regions.
And, he added: "The effects will be felt further east as well from Cleveland to Lincolnshire."
He warned the unusually strong winds for June were "strong enough to bring down branches and even whole trees in the summer".He warned the unusually strong winds for June were "strong enough to bring down branches and even whole trees in the summer".
"Public transport may be effected with lying debris on roads and rail." "Public transport may be affected, with lying debris on roads and rail."
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