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/6272193.stm

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Britain 'braced for heavy storms' Storms affecting travel around UK
(about 18 hours later)
Heavy storms are on their way to batter many parts of the UK, forecasters have warned. Gales and heavy downpours have affected travel across the UK.
Winds of up to 80mph coupled with downpours of rain could cause chaos for commuters during Thursday's morning rush hour. Storms have hit much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland while Scotland has seen its first major snowfalls of 2007 with delays on the A9 in the Highlands.
Much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be hit by storms while Scotland is bracing itself for snow. A man has died after a branch fell and went through the windscreen of his car in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
John Hammond from the BBC Weather Centre said: "People need to be prepared for real disruption." The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning, warning of gusts of up to 70mph, and Network Rail brought in speed restrictions on some lines.
Workers across Britain will wake up to gales and heavy downpours, he predicted. The accident in Shropshire in which the man died happened on the B4373 Bridgnorth to Broseley road.
'Bear the brunt' A second car heading in the opposite direction also collided with part of the branch but its driver was uninjured, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.
Snow storms will hit southern Scotland first before moving up to the central belt in time for rush hour. The Highlands and Grampians can expect them later in the day. A man was taken to hospital after Bar Vin's roof collapsed
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, wind speeds will pick up throughout the day, reaching 60 to 70mph in some parts. In the south, ferry services to the Isle of Wight have been cancelled and Southampton Container Terminal closed.
Wind and rain will be heaviest in the south of the country in the morning, but will pick up in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north of England during the afternoon. A man was taken to hospital after he was injured when the roof of Bar Vin in Bournemouth, Dorset, collapsed as winds of up to 80mph hit the coast.
The Highways Agency has advised all motorists to take extra care and to plan their routes in advance. Train operators ONE and GNER are operating a revised and reduced timetable on the East Coast Mainline due to the expected severe weather conditions.
People need to keep an eye on forecasts and be careful when travelling John HammondBBC Weather Centre And the Shrewsbury to Chester rail line has been closed after a train collided with a tree just outside Chirk Station, just over the Welsh border.
Two men were taken to hospital overnight suffering from hypothermia after becoming disorientated while walking in heavy rain and fog in the Staffordshire Moorlands on Wednesday.
The weather has been causing problems elsewhere in the country, including:
  • In Berkshire, 25,000 people have been left without power
  • Power cables have been brought down across the road in Bugle near St Austell in Cornwall
  • In Kent, police warned of possible power cuts and the port of Dover, the M25 Dartford river crossing and the Sheppey Crossing were all shut
  • There was also snow and ice in County Durham, where part of the A68 at Tow Law was closed for a short time after lorries and cars skidded into ditches
  • Snow fell on the M62 in Yorkshire where it crosses the Pennines
    • Cold snap
    BBC Weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood said wind and rain will be heaviest in the south of the country in the morning, but will pick up in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north of England during the afternoon.
    Scotland has seen its first major snowfalls of the year
    In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, wind speeds will pick up throughout the day, reaching 60 to 70mph in some parts and 80mph on high ground.
    South and west facing coastlines are expected to bear the brunt of the storms.South and west facing coastlines are expected to bear the brunt of the storms.
    Central Scotland Police said several cars became stuck in snow on the A809 near Killearn, while Strathclyde has seen snow on the M74 south of Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
    On Wednesday evening, two lorries jack-knifed in snow on the north-south A9 between Dalwhinnie and Blair Atholl in the Highlands.
    The Highways Agency has advised all motorists to take extra care and to plan their routes in advance.
    P&O Ferries reported delays on their crossings from Dover and have advised passengers due to sail from the port on 18 January not to travel.P&O Ferries reported delays on their crossings from Dover and have advised passengers due to sail from the port on 18 January not to travel.
    But the damage could be most severe in inland areas which are less well-equipped to withstand extreme weather, Mr Hammond warned. Friday is expected to be calmer the country could be facing a cold snap next week.
    He said: "People need to keep an eye on forecasts and be careful when travelling."
    Friday should be calmer, he added, but the following week could see the country in the grip of a cold snap.
    Despite an unusually mild start to January, he warned that temperatures are likely to plummet beyond the weekend.Despite an unusually mild start to January, he warned that temperatures are likely to plummet beyond the weekend.
    He added: "Next week will be the first real taste of winter for most of us.
    "There is a possibility of snow and temperatures will be struggling to rise above freezing."
    Are you in the areas affected by the heavy storms? How are you preparing for them? Send us your experiences using the form below:Are you in the areas affected by the heavy storms? How are you preparing for them? Send us your experiences using the form below:
    If you have any pictures of the storms you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.ukIf you have any pictures of the storms you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
    Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
    Name
    		 Name