Warning: Yellow
To expect: Wind
Affected area: Multiple, listed below
Start time estimate: Saturday 6pm
End time estimate: Sunday noon
The Met Office has announced a Yellow wind warning for several regions across the UK for Saturday and Sunday.
The warning is covering parts of Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, North East England, North West England, Northern Ireland, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde, Wales, Yorkshire and Humber. All local areas affected are listed below.
Intense winds are expected to lash the regions, arriving across the areas at around 6pm on Saturday and will continue lashing until Sunday noon.
The Yellow warning for wind was issued at 10:28am on Wednesday, April 1.
A Met Office forecast said: “A rapidly deepening area of low pressure is likely to move northeastwards close to or across northwestern parts of the UK during Saturday evening and night, clearing to the North Sea by Sunday. Whilst there is some uncertainty over the exact track, intensity and shape of this area of low pressure, a period of strong west to southwesterly winds is expected during Saturday night and into the first part of Easter Sunday, before gradually easing through the day. Peak gusts of 50-60 mph will be possible fairly widely, with 60-70 mph in more exposed locations. There is a slight chance of some very strong winds across parts of Scotland, particularly in the west, where gusts of 80-90 mph may be possible in exposed areas for a time.”
What to expect
Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely with a chance of cancellations to some services; There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage; Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely with a chance that some roads and bridges could close; There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs; There is a small chance that injuries could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
What should you do during strong winds?
Prepare to protect your property and people from injury.
Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them. Items include: bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do: consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.
Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly. When a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
For further details see Met Office Warnings & Advice.
Full list of local areas affected
Central, Tayside and Fife
Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling
Grampian
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray
Highlands and Eilean Siar
Eilean Siar, Highland
North East England
Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland
North West England
Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside
Northern Ireland
County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry, County Tyrone
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire
Wales
Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey
Yorkshire and Humber
North Yorkshire
What is a yellow weather warning?
The Met Office has three categories of weather warning, depending on the likely impact of severe weather and also how likely it is to strike in a particular area.
A yellow warning is issued when weather conditions are expected to disrupt travel and traffic and may impact on daily routines but are not likely to pose a risk to life or property.
An amber warning is more severe and advises people to think about changing their plans to minimise the risk.
A red warning means weather conditions are expected to be dangerous with widespread damage to property and a risk to life, with the public usually advised to avoid travelling.
The Yellow weather alert for wind will remain in effect until noon on Sunday.