Two storm warnings have been issued by the Met Office for the coming days, with wind speeds expected to approach 100mph.
Weather warnings have been updated in association with #StormEunice
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/0Dwyx5cevB
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 16, 2022
The first, Storm Dudley, is forecast to affect the northern half of the country, although wind speeds in Brighton and Hove could still top 50mph.
But the official forecaster has issued an amber wind warning which was updated this morning (Wednesday 16 February).
The warning covers the southern half of Great Britain, including Brighton and Hove, from 3am to 9pm on Friday (18 February).
Wind speeds are expected to exceed 50mph with gusts much closer to 100mph at the height of the storm, which is currently predicted to be about lunchtime on Friday.
About a third of an inch of rain is also expected to fall during the first half of the storm.
Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “An active jet stream is helping to drive low-pressure systems across the country, with both storms set to cause some disruption, and National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued.
“Significant disruption is possible from both Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice with strong winds one of the main themes of the current forecast.
“The most impactful winds from Dudley will be in the north on Wednesday afternoon, as shown in the amber warning area.
“Storm Eunice is expected to track eastwards from early on Friday, bringing the most significant winds to the central and southern areas of the UK, with some gusts possible in excess of 95mph in exposed coastal areas.”
The Met Office warned: “Storm Eunice may cause significant disruption due to extremely strong winds on Friday.
“There is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life.
“Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down.
“Roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights.
“There is a good chance that power cuts, possibly prolonged, could occur and possibly affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.
“Large waves are likely and beach material is likely to be thrown on to sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
“It is likely there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees.”
Just to put some local detail on this, Wednesday’s gale is a normal winter storm in our Brighton and Hove area with wind peaking at evening rush hour, probably with 40mph wind, occasionally gusting a bit more.
This wind peak coincides with low tide, and so flooding is not the issue today.
Storm Dudley IS a significant event, but the damage caused will be in the North and well away from our area.
The more unusual storm, named Eunice, happens on Friday and it will be very windy here from early morning, with the gales then getting significantly worse by lunchtime.
It’s thought that 70mph gusts are possible in our area and the wind peak probably coincides with high water which is at about 12.20pm. We also have quite a big tide on Friday, so parts of our seafront could flood and see significant change in shingle distribution.
Waves are expected to be up to 20feet, and that’s huge, so best not go near the water’s edge or even on the seafront piers and jettys. Parts of the promenade will get covered in shingle.
The gusty wind means you might get knocked off your feet, and we can expect some trees to be blown over, and some advertising hoardings could come down. It’s probably not a day to be driving anywhere either.
This is a developing weather system, making it slightly unpredictable, but it does look like a very windy one.
The forecast could change again in detail before Friday. It does however look like we have a continuing windy period until at least Monday, fired up by a very active Jet Stream overhead.
Take care.
Billy the Weatherman 🤣
Ooh Billy. Careful! , that could be construed as proper news and not just content… 🙂
I blame Brexit and lack of affordable housing. Lol