Storm Darragh was officially named by the Met Office today as Britain braces for 80mph gusts and three inches of rain to hit from tomorrow afternoon until Sunday.
The UK will be battered by four consecutive days of heavy rain and strong winds from today with 60 flood alerts activated before Darragh sweeps in at 3pm tomorrow.
Christmas markets have been cancelled due the forecast on Saturday in towns such as Romsey, Hampshire; Taunton, Somerset; and Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire.
The London Fire Brigade urged millions of people to secure loose objects outside their homes such as decorations, bins and furniture – and not to shelter under trees, with the Met Office forecasting 58mph gusts for the capital at times this weekend.
The Met Office has issued one yellow warning for up to 30mm (1.2in) of rain in the North West between 2pm and 6pm today, and a second for 70mph gusts across much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 3pm today until 3am tomorrow.
A third yellow warning for 80mph gusts for all of England and Wales then comes into force from 3pm tomorrow to 6am on Sunday. In addition, there are rain warnings from 3pm tomorrow until 12pm Saturday, with up to 70mm (2.8in) expected to fall.
A more-serious amber ‘danger to life’ warning for damaging winds has also been issued for Saturday from 3am until 9am, for the west coast of the UK from South Ayrshire in Scotland down to Cornwall, as well as in Northern Ireland.
Storm Darragh is the fourth storm to be named so far this season and the third in a fortnight – following on from Connall on November 27 and Bert on November 22.
Storm Darragh was officially named by the Met Office today and will bring 80mph gusts
A man walks along The Promenade New Brighton in Liverpool during wet weather today
A man climbs out of the River Mersey at The Promenade New Brighton in Liverpool today
Vehicles make their way through floodwater on a road in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, today
Meteorologists warned of travel disruption with bad conditions expected to impact road, rail, air and ferry services – while homes and businesses could be flooded.
The Environment Agency had 61 flood alerts and six warnings in place for England today, while Natural Resources Wales imposed 15 alerts and one warning.
National Rail warned of possible train disruption across the Midlands, North West England and Wales today – and then all of England and Wales from tomorrow, with a chance of speed restrictions being imposed on some routes as a safety precaution.
The Met Office said rain would clear from South East England this morning, to leave plenty of dry and bright weather although breezy.
It will then turn wet and windy from the West and northwest from the late morning into the afternoon.
Rain will clear away to the East this evening, leaving clear periods for many overnight – although there will be showers in the North West and gales affecting central parts.
Tomorrow will be mostly dry with plenty of sunshine while a few showers continue in the North West –but wet and windy weather will arrive from the West later on.
Conditions will be wet and very windy on Saturday, with severe gales possible and some snow in the north – before it gradually becomes more settled on Sunday.
The Met Office said buildings could be damaged this weekend by ’tiles blown from roofs’, while spray and flooding could lead to difficult road conditions for motorists.
Power cuts and mobile phone coverage outages could occur, communities may become cut off by flooded roads and some routes and bridges could close.
Forecasters also said ‘injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties’.
TODAY: The Met Office has issued one yellow weather warning for up to 30mm (1.2in) of rain in the North West between 2pm and 6pm today; and a second warning for 70mph gusts across much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 3pm today until 3am tomorrow
TOMORROW: The yellow wind warning for 70mph gusts across much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland runs until 3am tomorrow; then the next yellow warning for 80mph gusts and covering a significantly wider area begins at 3pm tomorrow, along with a new rain warning
SATURDAY: In addition to the yellow warning until Sunday, there is also an amber warning for Saturday from 3am until 9am for Northern Ireland and the western coast of Britain
SUNDAY: A yellow warning for England, Wales and Northern Ireland ends at 6am on Sunday
And they warned of a ‘small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life’ and a ‘small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris’.
The Met Office said the system could cross England and Wales from tomorrow afternoon, bringing a ‘bring a period of strong winds to much of the warning area, with some heavy rain likely to the north and west of the low centre’.
Hill snow could fall in northern areas above 200m (650ft), while around 15mm (0.6in) to 25mm (1in) of rain may fall quite widely, particularly across central, northern and western parts of England and Wales.
The warnings added that ‘exposed higher ground in the north and west – particularly parts of Wales, which are at greatest risk of seeing flooding impacts’ – could locally see 50mm (2in) to 70mm (2.8in).
Winds are expected to quite widely gust to around 40 to 50mph inland but locally could gust in excess of 60mph.
Around coasts, winds may gust to 60 to 70mph, ‘perhaps locally nearer 80 mph’.
The warnings also said: ‘The wind and rain may cause disruption to travel, with difficult driving conditions likely.’
The storm will then clear to the east on Saturday night, with forecasters expecting colder northerly air to then push down across the UK from the north.
The Met Office advised people to take steps to protect their property from strong winds, saying: ‘Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them. Items include bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences.’
It added in the warning: ‘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.’
Mike Silverstone, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘While there is still uncertainty about the track and depth of the low pressure, Friday night and Saturday will be wet and very windy across parts of the UK.
‘Some model solutions have the low pressure further north and much deeper, bringing very strong winds and heavy rain, whilst other model solutions have the low pressure further south and not as deep, still bringing unsettled weather but not as impactful.’
The Met Office currently has three possible scenarios for the incoming storm tomorrow
The Environment Agency has 61 flood alerts (in amber) and six warnings (in red) in England
Dale Hipkiss, Duty Manager at National Highways, said: ‘If you’re planning to drive over the next few days, prepare in advance for the journey and take extra care on the roads.
‘If weather conditions become challenging, adjust your driving behaviour to manage the conditions as safely as possible. It’s also a good idea for drivers to check their vehicles, such as tyres, coolant and oil levels, before heading out to reduce the risk of breakdowns.’
The Environment Agency said it is carefully monitoring the progress of the storm ahead of the weekend.
Katharine Smith, Flood Duty Manager, said heavy rain is expected to move ‘rapidly’ across the north and west of England on Thursday evening.
She added: ‘Minor surface water flooding is probable across parts of North West England and minor river flooding is 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 though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm (1ft) of flowing water is enough to float your car.’
