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What do the warning colours mean?
Red warning
- Dangerous weather is expected and, if you have not done so already, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather.
- It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure.
Amber warning
- There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans.
- This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property.
Yellow warning
- Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations.
- It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered by the warning.
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UK weather warnings
Damaging winds associated with Storm Darragh are expected to cause significant disruption
What should I expect?
- Danger to life due to flying debris and falling trees
- Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes
- Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
- Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
What should I do?
Further detail
A period of extremely strong winds will develop during the early hours of Saturday morning as Storm Darragh moves across the Irish Sea. Gusts of 90 mph or more are possible over coasts and hills of west and south Wales, as well as funnelling through the Bristol Channel with some very large waves on exposed beaches.
The strongest winds will begin to ease from late morning, though it will remain very windy with Amber wind warnings still in force until the evening.
What should I do?
Keep yourself and others safe; avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous conditions. It is not safe to drive in these conditions.
Don't risk injury to others or damage to your property. If you can do so safely, check for loose items outside your home and secure them. Items include; Christmas decorations, bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.
Being outside in high winds makes you vulnerable to injury. Stay indoors if you can.
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 live or work on the coast, beware of large waves, even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities
Why is the warning red?
This warning has a high likelihood and a high impact.
Very likely |
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Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
South West England
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bristol
- Devon
- North Somerset
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
Wales
- Bridgend
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Swansea
- Vale of Glamorgan
Heavy rain from Storm Darragh is likely to lead to disruption to transport and infrastructure
What should I expect?
- Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life
- Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
- A good chance some communities will be cut off by flooded roads
- Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely
- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely
What should I do?
Further detail
Storm Darragh will bring periods of heavy rain to south and mid-Wales through Saturday.
20-30 mm of rain will likely fall in 3-6 hours, with totals of 80-90 mm likely by the time rain begins to ease on Saturday evening. Given recent wet weather, coupled with very strong winds from Darragh, impacts on travel and infrastructure are likely.
What should I do?
Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions. If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously.
It is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep-water call 999, and wait for help.
Preparing a flood kit could save you from loss or damage due to flooding to your home or business. In your flood kit have: insurance and any other important documents; a torch & spare batteries; a first aid kit, prescription medicines and supplies for looking after your family members or pets; and warm, waterproof clothes, blankets, food and water.
Consider checking on vulnerable people that you know including older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone; they may need support with food and medical supplies.
If you are worried about your health or that of somebody you know, ring NHS 111.
Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities.
Why is the warning amber?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a medium impact.
Very likely |
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Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
Potentially damaging winds associated with Storm Darragh
What should I expect?
- Damage to buildings and homes is possible, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
- Roads, bridges and railway lines may close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
- Power cuts could occur and affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Flying debris and falling trees could result in a danger to life
- There is potential for large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
What should I do?
Further detail
A period of very strong northerly or northwesterly winds is likely to develop during Saturday as Storm Darragh moves from west to east. Gusts of 70 to 80 mph are likely around exposed coasts and headlands, where some very large waves are likely, whilst gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely inland. The strongest winds will ease from the west through the afternoon.
A Yellow warning for wind remains in effect until 0600 on Sunday morning.
What should I do?
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.
Windy weather can cause delays and make travel conditions dangerous. Follow these few simple steps to prepare before journeys. Check bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. If driving, check road conditions and ensure you have essentials in your car (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an in-car phone charger).
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.
Why is the warning amber?
This warning has a low likelihood and a high impact.
Very likely |
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Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
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Last updated
Reason: Impact level has been changed to a low likelihood of high impacts, with the start time brought forward to 0100 on Saturday. The area has been extended further east into more of south Wales, southwest England and northwest England.
Regions and local authorities affected:
North West England
- Blackpool
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Cumbria
- Halton
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
Northern Ireland
- County Antrim
- County Armagh
- County Down
- County Fermanagh
- County Londonderry
- County Tyrone
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
- Dumfries and Galloway
South West England
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bristol
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Dorset
- Isles of Scilly
- North Somerset
- Plymouth
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Torbay
Strathclyde
- South Ayrshire
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
Rain associated with Storm Darragh may lead to some transport disruption from late Friday through Saturday morning
What should I expect?
- Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
- Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
- Some interruption to power supplies and other services likely
- Flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely
What should I do?
Further detail
Storm Darragh moving across the country will bring rain, turning wintry above 300-400m. Rainfall of 20-30 mm is expected widely and as much as 50-60mm over the higher ground of the south and southwest. As it is falling onto saturated ground may lead to some local flooding and transport disruption.
What should I do?
Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
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.
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.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
Very likely |
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Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
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
Snow is expected to bring difficult driving conditions and disruption to higher routes.
What should I expect?
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
What should I do?
Further detail
A period of snow is expected to affect higher ground of Scotland during Friday evening and overnight into Saturday morning. About 2 to 5cm of snow is expected to fall above 200 or 300m with 10 to 20cm above 400m which will bring difficult travelling conditions and some disruption to higher routes. Drifting of lying snow across the very highest routes above 400m may add to the impacts. Temporary snow accumulations may also affect lower levels for a time on Friday evening. The snow will become more showery and turn to rain or sleet through Saturday morning.
What should I do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey. Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.
If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
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
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
Very likely |
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Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Clackmannanshire
- Falkirk
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
Grampian
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
- Highland
Strathclyde
- Argyll and Bute
- East Dunbartonshire
- North Lanarkshire
Strong winds associated with Storm Darragh likely leading to some disruption and damage.
What should I expect?
- Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen
- Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible
- Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
- Some roads and bridges may close
- Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible
What should I do?
Further detail
Storm Darragh could bring a period of strong winds to much of the warning area. The strongest winds are likely as the system clears away on Saturday and overnight into early Sunday, when northerly winds may gust to 65 to 70mph . The wind may cause disruption to travel and affect some infrastructure such as power lines.
What should I do?
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.
Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
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.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a low likelihood and a medium impact.
Very likely |
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Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Dundee
- Fife
- Perth and Kinross
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
North East England
- Darlington
- Durham
- Gateshead
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- North Tyneside
- Northumberland
- Redcar and Cleveland
- South Tyneside
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Sunderland
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
- East Lothian
- Midlothian Council
- Scottish Borders
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- North Yorkshire
- York
Heavy rain associated with Storm Darragh may lead to some disruption on Saturday.
What should I expect?
- Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
- Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
- Flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely
What should I do?
Further detail
Storm Darragh will bring further outbreaks of rain during Saturday morning which are likely to become heavier and more persistent through the day. 15-20mm is likely to fall quite widely, with 30-50mm falling over high ground of the Cheviots, Pennines and North York Moors.
What should I do?
Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
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.
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.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
Very likely |
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Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
North East England
- Darlington
- Durham
- Gateshead
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- North Tyneside
- Northumberland
- Redcar and Cleveland
- South Tyneside
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Sunderland
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
- Scottish Borders
Yorkshire & Humber
- North Yorkshire
Heavy rain associated with Storm Darragh could lead to some flooding and disruption.
What should I expect?
- There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
- There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
- Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services
- Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- There is a small chance that some communities will become cut off by flooded roads
What should I do?
Further detail
A period of heavy rain associated with Strom Darragh is likely from late Friday, with the heaviest rain clearing from the west on Saturday morning. 20 to 30 mm is expected quite widely, with some parts of Northern Ireland and Wales likely to see 50 to 60 mm over this period. This may lead to some flooding and disruption in places.
What should I do?
Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an
emergency flood kit.
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.
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
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a very low likelihood and a medium impact.
Very likely |
|
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Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Northern Ireland
- County Antrim
- County Armagh
- County Down
- County Fermanagh
- County Londonderry
- County Tyrone
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Gwynedd
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Wrexham
West Midlands
- Shropshire
Strong winds associated with Storm Darragh likely leading to some disruption and damage.
What should I expect?
- There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
- It is likely that some roads and bridges could close, with impacts from falling trees
- There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
- There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris
- There is likely to be longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected
What should I do?
Further detail
Storm Darragh is likely to cross Ireland late Friday, then parts of England and Wales on Saturday, clearing to the east of England on Saturday night or early Sunday. Darragh could bring a period of strong winds to much of the warning area. Winds will initially be from a southerly direction, but the strongest winds are likely as the low clears away when northerly or northwesterly winds may quite widely gust to around 40-50 mph inland but locally could gust in excess of 60 mph. Around coasts, winds may gust to 60-70 mph, perhaps locally nearer 80 mph. The wind may cause disruption to travel, with difficult driving conditions likely. The duration of the strongest winds in any one location is likely to be less than 24 hours, but this warning is for a more extended period to cover the passage of the strong winds over the whole country. These start in the west on Friday evening, and clear from the east coast of England early on Sunday.
What should I do?
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.
Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
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.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a very low likelihood and a medium impact.
Very likely |
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Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
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Last updated
Reason: Extended warning north to include parts of the Central Belt and eastern coast of Scotland.
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Stirling
East Midlands
- Derby
- Derbyshire
- Leicester
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Northamptonshire
- Nottingham
- Nottinghamshire
- Rutland
East of England
- Bedford
- Cambridgeshire
- Central Bedfordshire
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- Luton
- Norfolk
- Peterborough
- Southend-on-Sea
- Suffolk
- Thurrock
London & South East England
- Bracknell Forest
- Brighton and Hove
- Buckinghamshire
- East Sussex
- Greater London
- Hampshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Medway
- Milton Keynes
- Oxfordshire
- Portsmouth
- Reading
- Slough
- Southampton
- Surrey
- West Berkshire
- West Sussex
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Wokingham
North East England
- Darlington
- Durham
- Northumberland
North West England
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Blackpool
- Cheshire East
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- Halton
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- Warrington
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
South West England
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
- Bristol
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- Isles of Scilly
- North Somerset
- Plymouth
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Swindon
- Torbay
- Wiltshire
Strathclyde
- Argyll and Bute
- East Ayrshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- East Renfrewshire
- Glasgow
- Inverclyde
- North Ayrshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Renfrewshire
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- West Dunbartonshire
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
West Midlands
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Telford and Wrekin
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands Conurbation
- Worcestershire
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- Kingston upon Hull
- North East Lincolnshire
- North Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
- York