The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning as Storm Amy threatens to batter the country from around 5pm.
UK households are being told to “secure” their doors and windows as a big problem hits England on Friday. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning as Storm Amy threatens to batter the country from around 5pm.
In its ‘how to stay safe in a storm guidance’, the forecasting agency says: “Secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown into windows and other glazing and break them.
“Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house, and especially large doors such as those on garages.”
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The Met Office advice adds: “Park vehicles in a garage, if available; otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences.
“Close and secure loft trapdoors with bolts, particularly if roof pitch is less than 30°. If the house is fitted with storm shutters over the windows then ensure that these are closed and fastened.
“If chimney stacks are tall and in poor condition, move beds away from areas directly below them.” Aidan McGivern, the Met Office forecaster, says the UK faces “exceptionally strong winds.”
Amy is being picked up by the jet stream and spins up as it approaches the UK with strong winds, pushing into Scotland and Northern Ireland during Friday afternoon.
“There will be a broad swathe of strong winds across the UK – 60mph, 70mph in north west England, north Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland,” Aidan said.
The winds could even hit 80mph with 100mph potentially hitting some areas. Frontal rain will arrive over Northern Ireland and then western Britain during Friday afternoon and evening.
Netweather’s Jo Farrow said: “The heaviest rain moves over northern Britain, particularly for Cumbria and then clears away over the North Sea but with outbreaks of rain over Wales and England during Friday evening.
“The following cold front shows signs of line convection when sudden, vicious rainfall with gusty winds can make driving conditions very difficult with poor visibility.”
