The Met Office predicts “particularly strong and damaging wind gusts” on Saturday
Storm Amy on the Liverpool waterfront(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Storm Amy continues to batter Merseyside today as heavy rain and strong winds sweep across the region. A yellow weather warning for wind was in place from 3pm Friday, October 3, to 11.59pm this evening, Saturday, October 4.
The Met Office said: “A very windy day with gales at times and some particularly strong and damaging wind gusts through the morning. Rain at times through the morning, brighter with showers later,” adding the temperature would feel “colder”. The weather agency warns of potential damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, power cuts and possible mobile phone service disruption.
The Met Office warns people to stay away from coastal areas, with injuries and danger to life possible from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
Some roads and bridges may close, and road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A warning about driving conditions has also been shared with the Met Office, urging people to be more cautious in the windy, wet weather. The forecaster said: “The very strong winds will also be accompanied by spells of heavy rain, with difficult driving conditions likely, especially for high-sided vehicles on prone routes, such as crosswinds on exposed or high-level routes.
“Winds will ease for most parts through Saturday afternoon but will continue to be very strong for the Northern Isles and parts of the far north of Scotland through to the end of Saturday, before slowly easing overnight.”
There are other warnings in place across Ireland and other areas of the UK.
The forecast for Merseyside for the hours the warning is in place on Saturday is below:
7am: light rain, gusts of 49mph
8am: light rain, gusts of 49mph
9am: heavy rain, gusts of 54mph
10am: heavy rain, gusts of 56mph
11am: light rain, gusts of 56mph
12pm: light rain, gusts of 54mph
1pm: light rain, gusts of 53mph
2pm: light rain, gusts of 50 mph
3pm: light rain, gusts of 49mph
4pm: light rain, gusts of 47mph
5pm: light rain, gusts of 45mph
6pm: light rain, gusts of 44mph
7pm: light rain, gusts of 43mph
8pm: light rain, gusts of 47mph
9pm: light rain, gusts of 45mph
10pm: partly cloudy, gusts of 47mph
11pm: partly cloudy, gusts of 46mph
Elsewhere in the UK, the wind warning covers Central Tayside & Fife, East Midlands, Grampian, Highlands & Eilean Siar, Wales and Yorkshire. Amber warnings are in place for parts of western Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Heavy rain and strong winds of up to 100mph are expected in exposed coastal areas on Friday evening.
The weather system, which is the first named storm of the season, will also bring wet and windy conditions to the rest of the UK for much of Saturday.
Met Office map shows weather warnings as Storm Amy batters parts of UK(Image: Met Office )
Yellow weather warnings were already in place for Scotland and Northern Ireland since midday on Friday, but the more serious amber warnings state flying debris could lead to a “danger to life”.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tom Crabtree, said: “Although there is still some uncertainty about the exact track Storm Amy will take, the system will bring gale force winds across northern and western regions, with gusts widely reaching 50 to 60 miles per hour inland in northern Britain, and potentially reaching 70 to 80 miles per hour in places. With even stronger gusts on exposed coasts and hills, mainly in the northwest.
Mr Crabtree continued: “Heavy rainfall is also expected, in particularly over western Scotland, where totals could exceed 30-50 mm in 6-9 hours, increasing the risk of localised flooding. Forecasts and warnings will be updated as the situation becomes more clear, therefore it is important to keep an eye forecast for your area over the coming days.”
Further advice shared by the Met Office explains what people should do while the weather warnings are in place. You should “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”.
There may also be delays on road and travel timetables could be altered. You should “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”.