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| 'Weather bomb' brings disruption to northern UK | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| High winds and huge waves are affecting north-western parts of the UK as bad weather hits power supplies and travel. | High winds and huge waves are affecting north-western parts of the UK as bad weather hits power supplies and travel. |
| The "weather bomb" has brought hundreds of lightning strikes, temporarily cutting power across the Western Isles, affecting 17,000 homes. | |
| The Met Office has warned parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland to "be prepared" as the rapidly developing storm threatens gusts of up to 80mph. | The Met Office has warned parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland to "be prepared" as the rapidly developing storm threatens gusts of up to 80mph. |
| Wind speeds are expected to peak on Wednesday afternoon and early evening. | Wind speeds are expected to peak on Wednesday afternoon and early evening. |
| BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood said it would be a "wild" day from north Wales northwards, while it would be "blustery" further south. | BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood said it would be a "wild" day from north Wales northwards, while it would be "blustery" further south. |
| Explosive cyclogenesis - known colloquially as a "weather bomb" - is when a storm intensifies as the pressure at its centre drops rapidly (by more than 24 millibars in 24 hours). | Explosive cyclogenesis - known colloquially as a "weather bomb" - is when a storm intensifies as the pressure at its centre drops rapidly (by more than 24 millibars in 24 hours). |
| The storm currently affecting parts of the UK formed in this way. | |
| Speaking from Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Donald MacLeod, coxswain of the island's lifeboat, said there was rain, hail and "plenty of wind". | Speaking from Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Donald MacLeod, coxswain of the island's lifeboat, said there was rain, hail and "plenty of wind". |
| He said the storm had "grown through the night", adding: "The swell conditions are pretty bad to the west - it's showing about 14m (45ft)." | He said the storm had "grown through the night", adding: "The swell conditions are pretty bad to the west - it's showing about 14m (45ft)." |
| Mr Macleod said this was "a lot deeper than we normally see" and was "definitely something to be wary of". | Mr Macleod said this was "a lot deeper than we normally see" and was "definitely something to be wary of". |
| Power supplier Scottish and Southern Energy said the problem affecting the Western Isles was caused by lightning, but electricity has now been restored to most homes. | Power supplier Scottish and Southern Energy said the problem affecting the Western Isles was caused by lightning, but electricity has now been restored to most homes. |
| Western Isles Council said all schools and nurseries would be closed, along with many other facilities. Many schools in the Highlands are also closed. | Western Isles Council said all schools and nurseries would be closed, along with many other facilities. Many schools in the Highlands are also closed. |
| In Aberdeenshire, about 20 vehicles got stuck in icy conditions on the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road. A gritter was sent and the vehicles were later freed. | In Aberdeenshire, about 20 vehicles got stuck in icy conditions on the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road. A gritter was sent and the vehicles were later freed. |
| Ahead of the forecast storms, ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne warned of severe disruption to its services. | Ahead of the forecast storms, ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne warned of severe disruption to its services. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| How common are weather bombs? | How common are weather bombs? |
| Weather bombs happen fairly regularly. | Weather bombs happen fairly regularly. |
| There are usually several each year and they are more common in winter. | There are usually several each year and they are more common in winter. |
| They are more likely to happen when the jet stream is strong. | They are more likely to happen when the jet stream is strong. |
| Whether the weather bomb has an impact on the UK depends on where it happens. | Whether the weather bomb has an impact on the UK depends on where it happens. |
| In this case, according to BBC Weather's John Hammond, the problem is not so much the wind, but the colossal waves which have formed out at sea and are now moving towards UK coasts. | In this case, according to BBC Weather's John Hammond, the problem is not so much the wind, but the colossal waves which have formed out at sea and are now moving towards UK coasts. |
| The Met Office's amber "be prepared" warning is in effect for the Northern Isles, Western Isles, north and west Highlands and Argyll, as well as the far north of Northern Ireland. | The Met Office's amber "be prepared" warning is in effect for the Northern Isles, Western Isles, north and west Highlands and Argyll, as well as the far north of Northern Ireland. |
| There is also a less-severe yellow warning covering the rest of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as north Wales and northern England. | There is also a less-severe yellow warning covering the rest of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as north Wales and northern England. |
| Numerous flood warnings and alerts have also been issued, mostly in Scotland. | Numerous flood warnings and alerts have also been issued, mostly in Scotland. |
| Richard Brown, of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said Caithness, Sutherland, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland were at the greatest risk of coastal flooding. | Richard Brown, of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said Caithness, Sutherland, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland were at the greatest risk of coastal flooding. |
| Argyll and Bute, the Firth of Clyde, Clyde estuary and Dumfries and Galloway could also be affected, he said. | Argyll and Bute, the Firth of Clyde, Clyde estuary and Dumfries and Galloway could also be affected, he said. |
| The strongest wind gust recorded so far was 81mph (130km/h) on Tiree in the Inner Hebrides. | The strongest wind gust recorded so far was 81mph (130km/h) on Tiree in the Inner Hebrides. |
| Gusts of more than 60mph (95km/h) have been recorded in Northern Ireland, where the speed limit on the Foyle Bridge in Derry has been reduced to 30mph. | Gusts of more than 60mph (95km/h) have been recorded in Northern Ireland, where the speed limit on the Foyle Bridge in Derry has been reduced to 30mph. |
| A second storm front is expected to track across the country overnight on Thursday, the Met Office said. | A second storm front is expected to track across the country overnight on Thursday, the Met Office said. |
| It said there could be gales and a band of heavy rain across much of England and Wales during the first half of Friday, which could then push eastwards before easing in the early afternoon. | It said there could be gales and a band of heavy rain across much of England and Wales during the first half of Friday, which could then push eastwards before easing in the early afternoon. |
| Network Rail said some train services in Scotland were cancelled due to the weather. | Network Rail said some train services in Scotland were cancelled due to the weather. |
| The company said replacement bus services would be considered, but these were dependent on road conditions. | The company said replacement bus services would be considered, but these were dependent on road conditions. |
| ScotRail said a "limited service is running on some lines". | ScotRail said a "limited service is running on some lines". |
| Height of the waves | Height of the waves |
| From the BBC: | From the BBC: |
| Elsewhere: | Elsewhere: |
| Are you affected by the severe weather in the UK? You can send us your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk and your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you affected by the severe weather in the UK? You can send us your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk and your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| Have your say | Have your say |
| Alternatively, you can text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Alternatively, you can text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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