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'Weather bomb' storm brings disruption to northern UK | 'Weather bomb' storm brings disruption to northern UK |
(35 minutes later) | |
Thousands of Scottish homes are without power as a "weather bomb" storm hits western coastal areas. | |
Electricity has been cut across the Western Isles, affecting 17,000 homes, and there is other disruption including train and ferry cancellations. | |
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. | |
Conditions off Scotland were "pretty bad" by 06:30 GMT, a lifeboatman said. | Conditions off Scotland were "pretty bad" by 06:30 GMT, a lifeboatman said. |
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". |
'Wild' weather | 'Wild' weather |
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". |
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. |
She said the winds would peak in the afternoon and early evening. | She said the winds would peak in the afternoon and early evening. |
Power supplier SSE said the problem affecting the Western Isles was caused by lightning, and homes should be reconnected during the morning. | |
Western Isles Council said all schools would be closed, along with many other facilities. | |
In Aberdeenshire, about 20 vehicles are stuck in icy conditions on the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road. | |
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: |
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 Met Office's amber "be prepared" warning is in effect for the Northern Isles, Western Isles - where all schools and nurseries will be closed - the 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 - where all schools and nurseries will be closed - the 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. | |
Numerous flood warnings and alerts have also been issued, mostly in Scotland. | |
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. | |
Weather information | Weather information |
From the BBC: | From the BBC: |
Elsewhere: | Elsewhere: |
Network Rail said the services already cancelled in Scotland were those most likely to be exposed to the predicted winds and high tides expected later. | Network Rail said the services already cancelled in Scotland were those most likely to be exposed to the predicted winds and high tides expected later. |
They are the services between Inverness-Kyle/Thurso/Wick, Ayr-Stranraer, Kilwinning-Ardrossan/Largs and Dumbarton Central-Helensburgh Central. The Glasgow Queen St-Oban/Fort William/Mallaig line, including the Caledonian Sleeper is also affected. | They are the services between Inverness-Kyle/Thurso/Wick, Ayr-Stranraer, Kilwinning-Ardrossan/Largs and Dumbarton Central-Helensburgh Central. The Glasgow Queen St-Oban/Fort William/Mallaig line, including the Caledonian Sleeper is also affected. |
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. |
A CalMac ferry spokesman said severe weather along the west coast on Tuesday had caused "extensive disruption" to its services, with further cancellations expected. | A CalMac ferry spokesman said severe weather along the west coast on Tuesday had caused "extensive disruption" to its services, with further cancellations expected. |
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 as the storm front hit. | |
Argyll and Bute, the Firth of Clyde, Clyde estuary and Dumfries and Galloway could also be affected, he said. | |
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 |
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