Storm Benjamin to hit UK with 75mph winds as Met Office issues warnings
Storm Benjamin has now been named, and with its arrival comes a number of weather warnings as the Met Office tell Brits to brace for some very unsettled weather
The Met Office has issued new weather warnings with Storm Benjamin set to batter Britain with 75mph winds.
The yellow alerts are in place, covering most of southern England as well as the east Midlands, are areas in Wales and Yorkshire. It remains active all of tomorrow until 9pm. The wet and windy conditions could cause travel disruption, flooding, power cuts and damage to buildings.
Up to two inches of rain will hit over over a 21-hour period from tonight as Storm Benjamin is officially named. Many forecasters have been keeping a close eye this week on a deep area of low pressure moving across the Atlantic, as it is expected to result in extreme weather once it makes landfall in northern Europe.
It is the second within a few weeks after Storm Amy caused chaos earlier this month. A separate warning for wind tomorrow is also in place from 9am until 11.59pm. This one, the weather agency announced, covers the east of England up to Scarborough. Gusts of up to 75mph may arrive.
Winds of up to 55mph are expected with 65mph possible near coasts, the Met Office announced. South West England and parts of Wales, including Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Swansea and Pembrokeshire are also covered in another yellow alert for wind Thursday.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern says things are going to take a sudden turn for many after a calm couple of days. He said: "The low is deepening as it crosses the UK, it's likely to bring a swathe of strong winds as well, gales around southern and eastern coasts, the risk of 60mph gusts in some exposed spots, perhaps even a touch more in places."
Heavy downpours and gales are expected to tear across the country on Thursday, bringing risks of "structural wind damage" and flooding, according to British Weather Services’ senior meteorologist Jim Dale. He said central and eastern areas of England appear to be in the line of the storm - and warned that anyone in these regions should try to spend most of their time indoors, as gusts of up to 70mph are likely.
He told the Mirror: “The main threats are structural wind damage and flooding. There could be 30-50mm of rain in places, and 60-70mph gusts. London is in the mix on Thursday, but especially central and eastern areas. Best advice is to keep one eye on the warnings and heed them; stay away from wooded areas and sea walls. If you don’t have to venture out leave it for 24 hours.”
The Met Office meanwhile warned of strong winds and rain moving northwards from Wednesday evening onwards, with multiple weather warnings set to be in place for rain and wind over the following 24 hours.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Harris said: “Low pressure moving across the south of the UK on Thursday will bring both a spell of heavy rain and areas of strong winds.”
“The rain is expected to arrive from the southwest during Wednesday evening, before spreading northeast to many parts of England and Wales during Thursday, leading to difficult driving conditions and the risk of flooding in a few places. At the same time, winds are expected to pick up along south coastal areas in particular.