UK weather: Storm Darragh brings amber wind warning as commuters brace for disruption

Motorists are being urged not to drive through floodwater amid warnings of heavy rain and 80mph winds set to batter large swathes of the UK over the coming days.

The Environment Agency said it is carefully monitoring the progress of Storm Darragh, the fourth named storm of the season, ahead of the weekend after the Met Office issued a rare amber warning for “potentially damaging” winds.

Katharine Smith, flood duty manager from the agency, said heavy rain was expected to move “rapidly” across the north and west of England on Thursday evening, adding minor surface-water flooding was “probable” across parts of northwest England, while minor river flooding was possible more widely across the country.

Angus Thompson reports:

National Highways, which runs the UK’s motorways and busiest A-roads, has issued a severe weather alert for tomorrow and has warned motorists in the South West and North West to prepare for gale-force winds.

It said routes likely to be affected by the strongest winds include the M5 in northern Somerset, the A30 in Cornwall and the M6 in Cheshire.

Severe winds are already affecting travel in parts of the country with the M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire was being closed because of gusty weather.

Storm Darragh is due to cross Ireland today, then parts of England and Wales tomorrow, clearing to the east of England on Saturday night or early Sunday.

The ‘Put Big Light On’ festival in Bolton has been postponed due to the forecast of winds up to 80mph and rain during Storm Darragh.

The lights festival was due to begin last evening and was scheduled to run until Sunday. However, it now stands postponed indefinitely.

“We have not taken the decision to postpone lightly, however the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved is always our top priority,” the festival authorities said in a statement.

“We apologise to the public, performers and traders for the inconvenience this has caused.”

Storm Darragh is set to batter parts of the UK with up to 80mph winds, torrential rain, and potential flooding over the weekend.

The Met Office has issued a number of yellow and amber weather warnings, as it predicts a possible “danger to life” in western parts of the UK where wind speeds are expected to reach the highest.

Thursday into Friday

A yellow weather warning for wind has been in place since 3pm yesterday. It covers much of southern England, all of the Midlands and parts of northwest England.

Wales, the Scottish west coast and Northern Ireland are also covered by the weather warning, which will remain in place until 3am today. The Met warns that “disruption” is possible due to gusty winds.

Alex Croft has more.

Strong winds and rain will bring a “risk to life and property” across the UK, the Met Office said, as Storm Darragh approaches.

The fourth named storm of the season is expected to bring winds of up to 80mph and heavy rain this afternoon and into the weekend, while 130 flood alerts have been issued.

A yellow warning for rain will be in place for Northern Ireland and Wales, which were badly affected by flooding during Storm Bert, from 3pm today until 12pm tomorrow.

Up to 60mm of rain could fall in these areas during the warning period, which may lead to some flooding and disruption, forecasters said.

Rhondda Cynon Taf, where between 200 and 300 properties were flooded during Storm Bert last month, is set to be hit by heavy rain once again.

The Environment Agency has urged drivers not to drive through flood water this weekend.

Katharine Smith, flood duty manager from the agency, said heavy rain was expected to move “rapidly” across the north and west of England on Thursday evening, adding minor surface-water flooding was “probable” across parts of northwest England, while minor river flooding was possible more widely across the country.

“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and will support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. We urge people not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks, and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car,” Ms Smith said.