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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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
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. |
Weather information | Weather information |
From the BBC: | From the BBC: |
Elsewhere: | Elsewhere: |
Network Rail said some services in Scotland would be cancelled due to the weather. | |
These are the services from Inverness to Wick/Kyle of Lochalsh, Glasgow Queen Street to Oban/Fort William/Mallaig, Dumbarton Central to Helensburgh Central, Glasgow Central to Largs/Ardrossan Harbour and Glasgow Central/Kilmarnock to Ayr/Stranraer. | |
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 services had started "quite well" on Wednesday morning. | |
But operations and safety director Jacqueline Dey said: "We have had a number of lightning strikes, which has caused some disruption on the Edinburgh-Glasgow Central via Shotts line and the Perth area." | |
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. | 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. | 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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