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UK hit by strong gales and storms | UK hit by strong gales and storms |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Severe gales and heavy rain have caused havoc across the UK, with winds of up to 100mph. | Severe gales and heavy rain have caused havoc across the UK, with winds of up to 100mph. |
Exposed parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales saw the worst of the conditions into the evening. | Exposed parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales saw the worst of the conditions into the evening. |
In Downpatrick, a motorist died when a tree fell on her car while Northern Ireland Electricity says 15,000 homes are without power. | In Downpatrick, a motorist died when a tree fell on her car while Northern Ireland Electricity says 15,000 homes are without power. |
However, forecasters say the weather is expected to become calmer in most parts of the UK later. | However, forecasters say the weather is expected to become calmer in most parts of the UK later. |
The dead motorist was a woman in her 30s whose car was struck by a tree on Strangford Road in Downpatrick at 1600 GMT on Saturday. | The dead motorist was a woman in her 30s whose car was struck by a tree on Strangford Road in Downpatrick at 1600 GMT on Saturday. |
Surfer rescue | Surfer rescue |
Northern Ireland Electricity said major faults had been reported in Craigavon and Downpatrick, while Ballyclare and Bangor were also affected. | Northern Ireland Electricity said major faults had been reported in Craigavon and Downpatrick, while Ballyclare and Bangor were also affected. |
Some homes in Newry were left without power for a time, but that has since been restored. | |
At one stage up to 70,000 homes were also left without electricity in the Republic of Ireland. | At one stage up to 70,000 homes were also left without electricity in the Republic of Ireland. |
Meanwhile, a surfer had to be rescued after drifting a mile out to sea off the Kintyre coast at Machrihanish. | Meanwhile, a surfer had to be rescued after drifting a mile out to sea off the Kintyre coast at Machrihanish. |
The 22-year-old was rescued by a helicopter crew just before 1700 GMT on Saturday after being caught up in heavy storms. | The 22-year-old was rescued by a helicopter crew just before 1700 GMT on Saturday after being caught up in heavy storms. |
He was taken to hospital with suspected mild hypothermia. | He was taken to hospital with suspected mild hypothermia. |
A coastguard spokesman said the wind had whipped up to force 11, one grade below hurricane conditions. | A coastguard spokesman said the wind had whipped up to force 11, one grade below hurricane conditions. |
"There were two guys, and one of them lost sight of his mate and got washed out. | "There were two guys, and one of them lost sight of his mate and got washed out. |
"We got things going and he was located by the Prestwick helicopter just before it got dark, so he was very lucky." | "We got things going and he was located by the Prestwick helicopter just before it got dark, so he was very lucky." |
In Scotland's Western Isles, people were told not to travel because of severe gales in the Outer Hebrides. | In Scotland's Western Isles, people were told not to travel because of severe gales in the Outer Hebrides. |
In western Wales, forecasters warned of winds gusting up to 70mph which were strong enough to cause structural damage to buildings. | In western Wales, forecasters warned of winds gusting up to 70mph which were strong enough to cause structural damage to buildings. |
Wind chill | Wind chill |
The wet, blustery weather is being caused by a deep Atlantic depression very close to the north west of Scotland. | The wet, blustery weather is being caused by a deep Atlantic depression very close to the north west of Scotland. |
Conditions were forecast to be calmer later as the low pressure moves to the north, but some wintry showers are expected. | Conditions were forecast to be calmer later as the low pressure moves to the north, but some wintry showers are expected. |
The BBC Weather Centre's Rob McElwee said there would be more outbreaks of rain across the whole of the UK. | The BBC Weather Centre's Rob McElwee said there would be more outbreaks of rain across the whole of the UK. |
He said Northern Ireland and Scotland could expect to see some sleet with several centimetres of snow falling in the Highlands. | He said Northern Ireland and Scotland could expect to see some sleet with several centimetres of snow falling in the Highlands. |
Mr McElwee said: "It is going to feel quite cold. It will be about 6-7C but with the added wind chill, it will feel closer to freezing." | Mr McElwee said: "It is going to feel quite cold. It will be about 6-7C but with the added wind chill, it will feel closer to freezing." |
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Send us your comments using the form below. | Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Send us your comments using the form below. |
Send your weather pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your weather pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | 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. |