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Storm Doris 'weather bomb' brings snow, gales and travel disruption – live updates Storm Doris 'weather bomb' brings snow, gales and travel disruption – live updates
(35 minutes later)
11.02am GMT
11:02
QE2 Bridge close
Highways England has closed the QE2 Bridge over the Thames at Dartford. Expect long delays on the M25 as the bridge is not expected to reopen until 6pm.
Highways England has CLOSED the QE2 Bridge - not expected to reopen until 6pm #stormdoris #Essex https://t.co/MxvnL7KToy pic.twitter.com/6AXMGrMeKM
The Orwell Bridge on the A14 in Suffolk is also closed because of strong winds.
Orwell Bridge closed due to strong winds #stormdoris https://t.co/PJqidrACxo pic.twitter.com/GuzvWIdpYJ
Also closed is A48 Severn Bridge between England and Wales.
10.46am GMT
10:46
Labour MPs are doing their best to get out the vote in the byelection in storm-hit Stoke Central.
Storm Doris hitting #StokeonTrentCentral hard. Drenched and leaflets like Papier mache. Great team working hard for #Labour4Stoke
Today vote @UKLabour in #stokebyelection. If we let extremism in #stormdoris will be a breeze in comparison to the havoc that will follow
10.41am GMT
10:41
Storm Doris has hit London. Here was the scene a little while ago on the Euston Road outside the British Library.
Thanks Storm Doris! #stormdoris #london pic.twitter.com/uF6MRGNivq
10.36am GMT
10:36
Fire crews are working to free a man trapped in van by a fallen tree on the A374 near Torpoint in Cornwall.
The crews are using winches and crash rescue equipment to release the man, according to Cornwall Fire and Rescue.
The road is closed in both directions.
A374 between Antony and Sheviock still closed in both directions - large tree on top of van - working to clear - please avoid area
A fallen tree is also reported to have blocked the A499 north of Worcester.
@DaveThroupEA Big tree just down blocking 2 lanes north and 1 south on #A449 near Hawford just North of #Worcester. Will take some shifting pic.twitter.com/ZCGUoaPYza
10.22am GMT10.22am GMT
10:2210:22
Here’s why the Port of Liverpool has been closed.Here’s why the Port of Liverpool has been closed.
#stormdoris #NewBrighton #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/4cL5SomxKd#stormdoris #NewBrighton #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/4cL5SomxKd
The Maritime and Coastguard warns the public not to get too close to the edge taking photos and videos of stormy seas.The Maritime and Coastguard warns the public not to get too close to the edge taking photos and videos of stormy seas.
Don't be tempted to get a closer look at the power of #StormDoris - NO photo is worth risking your life for #safetyfirst ©@PaulKingstonNNP pic.twitter.com/exxVwCJX0kDon't be tempted to get a closer look at the power of #StormDoris - NO photo is worth risking your life for #safetyfirst ©@PaulKingstonNNP pic.twitter.com/exxVwCJX0k
10.18am GMT10.18am GMT
10:1810:18
Severin CarrellSeverin Carrell
Heavy snow saw traffic on one of Scotland’s busiest motorways, the M80, grind to a halt during rush hour, causing chaos for commuters, writes our Scotland editor Severin Carrell.Heavy snow saw traffic on one of Scotland’s busiest motorways, the M80, grind to a halt during rush hour, causing chaos for commuters, writes our Scotland editor Severin Carrell.
The M80 was closed in both directions after lorries jack-knifed and drivers slid over the road.The M80 was closed in both directions after lorries jack-knifed and drivers slid over the road.
Chaos on the M80 which is one of Scotland's busiest motorways. Completely closed just now with commuters stranded. #snow #StormDoris pic.twitter.com/blATqj7bHZChaos on the M80 which is one of Scotland's busiest motorways. Completely closed just now with commuters stranded. #snow #StormDoris pic.twitter.com/blATqj7bHZ
Transport Scotland said the motorway, which links Stirlingshire and Glasgow, was shut northbound after junction 5 at Achinkilns and southbound at junction 8 at Denny.Transport Scotland said the motorway, which links Stirlingshire and Glasgow, was shut northbound after junction 5 at Achinkilns and southbound at junction 8 at Denny.
In the Scottish Borders, the council cancelled school buses and taxi services in advance of storm Doris hitting the region. However, schools remained open, leaving parents and children to make their own travel arrangements.In the Scottish Borders, the council cancelled school buses and taxi services in advance of storm Doris hitting the region. However, schools remained open, leaving parents and children to make their own travel arrangements.
Many other major roads, including the M8 motorway connecting Edinburgh and Glasgow, the A7, A9, A68, A81 and the Edinburgh city bypass were also affected by snow and heavy rain. Transport authorities also closed the snow gates on the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road in Aberdeenshire.Many other major roads, including the M8 motorway connecting Edinburgh and Glasgow, the A7, A9, A68, A81 and the Edinburgh city bypass were also affected by snow and heavy rain. Transport authorities also closed the snow gates on the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road in Aberdeenshire.
Transport Scotland also issued warnings about high winds for the Erskine bridge over the Clyde and the Tay road bridge, urging drivers to show caution.Transport Scotland also issued warnings about high winds for the Erskine bridge over the Clyde and the Tay road bridge, urging drivers to show caution.
Please be careful on SW Scotland's roads today. Plenty of #EXTREMEWEATHER still around. For updates @trafficscotland https://t.co/m7AaFbAkQt pic.twitter.com/p3e035jXHgPlease be careful on SW Scotland's roads today. Plenty of #EXTREMEWEATHER still around. For updates @trafficscotland https://t.co/m7AaFbAkQt pic.twitter.com/p3e035jXHg
10.16am GMT10.16am GMT
10:1610:16
Storm Doris is causing particular havoc to the rail network in the north west. Debris on the line in Port Sunlight and Hoylake has led to delays and cancelled trains.Storm Doris is causing particular havoc to the rail network in the north west. Debris on the line in Port Sunlight and Hoylake has led to delays and cancelled trains.
#StormDoris - Debris blown onto the track by high winds at Port Sunlight is causing delays and cancellations. This is expected until 10:45#StormDoris - Debris blown onto the track by high winds at Port Sunlight is causing delays and cancellations. This is expected until 10:45
#StormDoris - Debris has blown on the track at Hoylake causing delays and cancellations to trains between Bidston and West Kirby.#StormDoris - Debris has blown on the track at Hoylake causing delays and cancellations to trains between Bidston and West Kirby.
While flooding is the problem between Lockerbie and Carlisle.While flooding is the problem between Lockerbie and Carlisle.
#StormDoris - Flooding between Lockerbie and Carlisle is causing delays of up to 60 minutes. This is expected to continue until 10:45.#StormDoris - Flooding between Lockerbie and Carlisle is causing delays of up to 60 minutes. This is expected to continue until 10:45.
10.10am GMT10.10am GMT
10:1010:10
Port of Liverpool closedPort of Liverpool closed
The Port of Liverpool has been closed amid 100mph wind gusts.The Port of Liverpool has been closed amid 100mph wind gusts.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Port of Liverpool is closed. pic.twitter.com/DiPA6n2u3cIMPORTANT NOTICE: The Port of Liverpool is closed. pic.twitter.com/DiPA6n2u3c
10.01am GMT10.01am GMT
10:0110:01
The Irish Sea is currently one of the windiest places on earth, according Thomas Smith a geography lecturer at King’s College London.The Irish Sea is currently one of the windiest places on earth, according Thomas Smith a geography lecturer at King’s College London.
The Irish Sea is currently one of the windiest places on the planet! #DorisDay https://t.co/0CQhWu4Lq4 @cambecc pic.twitter.com/iaNj3oQ330The Irish Sea is currently one of the windiest places on the planet! #DorisDay https://t.co/0CQhWu4Lq4 @cambecc pic.twitter.com/iaNj3oQ330
9.52am GMT9.52am GMT
09:5209:52
Trains from St Pancras cancelledTrains from St Pancras cancelled
Damage to overhead power lines in St Albans has caused trains to be cancelled from London’s St Pancras station. Network Rail warns of disruption until at least noon.Damage to overhead power lines in St Albans has caused trains to be cancelled from London’s St Pancras station. Network Rail warns of disruption until at least noon.
My colleague Alexdrana Topping writes:My colleague Alexdrana Topping writes:
I’m currently in a taxi going to St Albans crown court for the sentencing of Ian Stewart, because there are currently no Thameslink trains going north from St Pancras.I’m currently in a taxi going to St Albans crown court for the sentencing of Ian Stewart, because there are currently no Thameslink trains going north from St Pancras.
High winds have brought down electricity lines and the system is currently showing severe delays southbound too.High winds have brought down electricity lines and the system is currently showing severe delays southbound too.
A lot of unhappy people at the closed barriers at St Pancras, where they are not letting people through.A lot of unhappy people at the closed barriers at St Pancras, where they are not letting people through.
Tory MP Anna Soubry is facing similar problems.Tory MP Anna Soubry is facing similar problems.
St Pancras deserted as all trains cancelled #stormdoris pic.twitter.com/92VtCuj43BSt Pancras deserted as all trains cancelled #stormdoris pic.twitter.com/92VtCuj43B
Blimey #stormdoris on stationery train at St Pancras and it's rocking in the gales. Now told all services cancelled from St PBlimey #stormdoris on stationery train at St Pancras and it's rocking in the gales. Now told all services cancelled from St P
9.36am GMT9.36am GMT
09:3609:36
The Met Office is warning of injury from falling debris such roof tiles and trees.The Met Office is warning of injury from falling debris such roof tiles and trees.
The BBC’s Andy Gill posted this video of a fallen tree in Caerns Road in Birkenhead.The BBC’s Andy Gill posted this video of a fallen tree in Caerns Road in Birkenhead.
Tree blocking Cearns Rd #Oxton #Wirral #stormdoris @BBCNWT @bbcmerseyside pic.twitter.com/k5zysP0KVPTree blocking Cearns Rd #Oxton #Wirral #stormdoris @BBCNWT @bbcmerseyside pic.twitter.com/k5zysP0KVP
Across the Wirral in central Liverpool scaffolding is the problem.Across the Wirral in central Liverpool scaffolding is the problem.
#StormDoris making a right mess of the scaffolding on Water Street in Liverpool - road partially closed! 🌪🌊 #CapitalReports pic.twitter.com/Gx9RbTQeRp#StormDoris making a right mess of the scaffolding on Water Street in Liverpool - road partially closed! 🌪🌊 #CapitalReports pic.twitter.com/Gx9RbTQeRp
And watch out for waves on Liverpool’s Albert Dock.And watch out for waves on Liverpool’s Albert Dock.
View from the office! Please be careful on the #Waterfront #stormdoris #AlbertDock #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/Fj1pMgf8X2View from the office! Please be careful on the #Waterfront #stormdoris #AlbertDock #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/Fj1pMgf8X2
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.39am GMTat 9.39am GMT
9.25am GMT9.25am GMT
09:2509:25
BBC Weather reports a wind gust of 94mph in Capel Curig in North Wales.BBC Weather reports a wind gust of 94mph in Capel Curig in North Wales.
In the last hour we've had the strongest gust from #StormDoris so far at Capel Curig (NW Wales) with a gust of 94mph! CFIn the last hour we've had the strongest gust from #StormDoris so far at Capel Curig (NW Wales) with a gust of 94mph! CF
9.19am GMT
09:19
Storm Doris declared a 'weather bomb'
It’s official Storm Doris is a weather bomb, according to the Met Office.
#StormDoris has rapidly deepened over the last 24 hours as it has under gone what we call Explosive Cyclogenisis making it a #WeatherBomb pic.twitter.com/U7VI7WDGtT
What is a weather bomb? The Met Office provides this definition:
A ‘weather bomb’ is not a perfect meteorological term but is defined as an intense low pressure system with a central pressure that falls 24 millibars in a 24-hour period. A better description can be more directly linked to the meteorological phenomena known as rapid or explosive cyclogenesis. This is where dry air from the stratosphere flows into an area of low pressure. This causes air within the depression to rise very quickly and increases its rotation, which in turn deepens the pressure and creates a more vigorous storm.
Updated
at 9.22am GMT
9.11am GMT
09:11
Glasgow to Stirling motorway closed
The M80 northbound in Scotland between Glasgow and Stirling has been closed due to snow.
⚠UPDATE⚠#M80 is now ⛔CLOSED⛔ N/B after J5 Auchenkilns & S/B from J9 Bannockburn due to snow ❄⛄#AVOID #DriveSafe#Central @BEAR_M80 pic.twitter.com/qa1U4be6YS
And here’s the wintry scene on the M9 near Falkirk.
9.04am GMT
09:04
Henry McDonald
Almost 50,000 homes in the Irish Republic are without power this morning mainly due to Storm Doris felling trees knocking down power lines, writes Henry McDonald.
The Republic’s Electricity Supply Board said the power outages are in counties Galway, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo and Dublin. Irish airline Aer Lingus has cancelled 12 flights between Ireland and Britain today.
A yellow weather warning has been issued for the Republic by Met Eireann with winds of up to 120km per hour (75mph0 blowing across the country.
There are also reports this morning that fallen debris will cause disruptions on the Belfast to Dublin rail link today. In Northern Ireland some flights from George Best Belfast City Airport have been cancelled.
9.00am GMT
09:00
Google Trends has compiled a list of the five most Storm Doris-related questions asked on the search engine in the last 24 hours.
"Where will Storm Doris hit?" Top questions in the UK on #StormDoris in the last 24 hours pic.twitter.com/XdYWNSCYBV
Here are the answers:
1 The Met Office selects names from a list submitted on social media. This winter’s list began with a male name starting with A - Angus and moved through the list alternating between male and female names. So far we have had Angus, Barbara, Conor and now Doris.
2 About now. It should all be over by this evening.
3 The Met Office and the public via social media
4 Storm Doris is the fourth named storm of the season and likely to be worst storm of winter so far. It is a westerly weather system that has “rapidly deepened” over the last 24 hours, prompting the Met Office to warn of gusts up 80mph to much of England and Wales and snow of up to 30cm to Scotland.
#StormDoris has rapidly deepened over the last 24 hours as it has under gone what we call Explosive Cyclogenisis making it a #WeatherBomb pic.twitter.com/U7VI7WDGtT
5 The worst of the snow will be in central and southern Scotlan and the Cheviot Hills in Northumberland. The worst of the wind will hit north Wales, North West England, the Midlands and East Anglia.
An Amber severe weather warning for #wind has been updated: https://t.co/jTkOo9Ials . Stay #weatheraware @metofficeuk pic.twitter.com/5wGfgkUIvo
8.36am GMT
08:36
Nazia Parveen
Yorkshire and north west England is bracing itself for extreme winds as an amber weather warning has been issued for the whole area including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull, writes Nazia Parveen.
Highways England issued an alert for major roads in the area including the M1 and M62.Motorists were warned to expect widespread travel disruption, power cuts and flying debris.
It said there was a particularly high risk for high-sided lorries, caravans and motorbikes and urged drivers to avoid travelling whilst its alert was in place between 6am and 6pm today.
In Merseyside police issued a warning to avoid coastal routes and some train services were also disrupted.
High winds of Storm Doris set to continue until 6:00pm. Drivers of high sided vehicles & motorcycles should avoid the coast road if possible
Richard Leonard, Highways England’s Head of Road Safety, said: “We’re expecting Storm Doris to have a significant impact on the roads throughout the day so are urging drivers to consider changing their plans if necessary and to slow down in stormy weather.”
Some trains in the area were also disrupted with Transpennine Express services between York and Newcastle cancelled from 10.45.
Northern Rail said some of their services may be also be cancelled.
A statement on their website reads: “Storm Doris is expected to bring severe weather across the North. “We will make every effort to run as many services as possible. However, some services may be cancelled and we expect journeys to take longer than usual due to speed restrictions on many lines.
“To help minimise disruption, you can use your ticket to travel on any train operator’s services running on the same route. Please be prepared, give yourself extra time and check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk “
A 8.40am British Airways flight from Leeds Bradford Airport to London Heathrow was also cancelled.
A Leeds Bradford Airport spokeswoman said: “We are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast and we ask that passengers look at our website but also contact their airlines if they have any other queries.”
8.30am GMT
08:30
The areas forecast for the worst of the storm include Stoke-on-Trent Central and Copeland where byelections are taking place. There are fears that the storm could hit turnout.
The byelection in Stoke Central was caused by the resignation of Tristram Hunt. In 2015 he had the lowest electoral mandate of all the MPs in the Commons.
Even before the storm was forecast there were fears that the Stoke byelection could beat the record low turnout of 18.2% recorded at the Manchester Central byelection in 2012.
In Copeland collecting ballot boxes from some of the higher areas of the Cumbria constituency could be an additional problem if they get snowed in.
Low turn out is likely to hit Labour in both constituencies, but the link between weather and turnout is a bit of myth, according to the New Statesman’s Stephanie Boland. But she adds:
There is one caveat, however. “If you had a January snowstorm”, says John Curtice from the University of Strathclyde, “it would make a difference but for the most part the weather is mildly inclement at these times of year [when general elections are held]. So you might need to take a brolly with you or you might have sunshine but you won’t have a howling gale or snow or serious travel disruption.”
That last point is important. While rain might not put people off voting, difficulties getting to the polling station can. So a truly chaotic storm could affect a result.
8.17am GMT
08:17
There has been no sign yet of the deep snow forecast for parts of Scotland and Northumberland, but some of the higher roads have already had dusting of snow.
Snow falling on the A68 at Soutra at 6.50am this morning. Please take care if heading this way. pic.twitter.com/thXix0Iayb
Snow ploughs and gritters have been out in force.
Higher sections of the #A9,#A85,#A83,#A9 and #A889 have snow but the ploughs are out on all routes. #stormdoris
We have 32 gritters and 7 tractors out on the Network at the moment patrolling and treating where required. Snow possible in all areas
8.04am GMT
08:04
Warnings of violent storm force 11 winds have been issued in the western shipping areas of Rockall, Shannon and Irish Sea. This is just one notch down hurricane force 12 winds.
The phrase “cyclonic severe gale” cropped up a lot in the latest Shipping Forecast.
7.57am GMT
07:57
Speed restrictions have been imposed on the Tay Road and the Forth Road bridges in Scotland.
High Winds – Bridge Closed to Double Decker Buses, 30mph speed restriction in place. (06:57 23/02/2017)
High winds – Speed restriction on bridge (05:19 GMT 23/02/2017)
7.50am GMT
07:50
Welcome to live coverage on the impact of Storm Doris as it hurtles into the UK bringing snow, gusts of up to 87mph winds and widespread travel problems.
You have been warned ... the Met Office has issued two amber be prepared warnings - one for up to 30cm of snow in Scotland and parts of Northumberland, and one for winds of up to 80mph in Wales, the Midlands, Northern England and East Anglia.
So far a gust of 87mph gust was recorded at Mace Head on the Galway coast, Ireland on the leading edge of the storm. And Aer Lingus cancelled 12 flights between the UK and the Republic of Ireland in anticipation of the winds. Heathrow airport is warning customers to check their flights before travelling.
Network Rail warned of delays and cancellations after imposing speed restrictions for safety reasons.
Limits of 50mph have set on some services run by Southeastern, Arriva Trains Wales, Chiltern Railways, Grand Central, TransPennine Express and Virgin Trains East Coast.
We will bring you all the latest on what is expected to be eventful ‘Doris Day’.
Updated
at 7.52am GMT