Two yellow weather warnings will be in place for Preston tomorrow with the now-named Storm Gerrit set to hit much of the UK.
The Met Office has issued separate weather warnings for rain and wind with the first being in place from 3am tomorrow (December 27) and the second being lifted by 3am on Thursday (December 28).
The warning states that there is a small chance of power cuts, flooding, and various issues that may lead to delays on the road. Some snow is possible, but far more likely on the higher ground away from Preston.
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Frank Saunders, chief meteorologist for the Met Office, said: “Storm Gerrit will run towards western UK on Wednesday and bring with it potential impacts for much of the UK.
“Winds across southern coastal areas of England will be strong, possibly peaking around 70 mph on exposed coastlines, but more widely around 50-60 mph within the warning area.
“Rain is an additional hazard from Storm Gerrit, with active weather fronts leading to a wet day for many. Snow is also likely to cause problems for some northern areas: only briefly for a few upland routes across the Pennines and southern Scotland overnight and early on Wednesday, but more widely to the north of the Central Lowlands later in the day. Here around 10 to possibly 20cm of snow may affect some of the highest routes, this combining with very strong winds to lead to some difficult travel conditions. At lower levels a combination of heavy rain and very strong winds will dominate.”
Yellow weather warning for rain
The rain warning covering Preston is in place from 3am until 6pm tomorrow (December 27).
The Met Office warns there is a chance of power cuts or loss of services to homes, flooding to some buildings, chances of more delays than usual to trains and other public transport, some road closures and fast-flowing water.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Outbreaks of heavy rain will move northeastwards across northern England and southern Scotland during Wednesday. Across the warning area 20-30 mm of rain is expected to accumulate quite widely.
“Over higher ground of the Pennines, Lake District and Southern Uplands, 40-60 mm is likely during this period with as much as 70-90 mm in a few locations. Strong winds will likely exacerbate any impacts from the rain. Snow is also likely for a short time across higher ground, although this will quickly turn to rain.”
Yellow weather warning for wind
The wind warning covering Preston is in place from 6pm tomorrow (December 27) until 3am on Thursday (December 28).
The Met Office warns that this may also cause power and service issues for homes, more delays than usual to public transport and delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Through Wednesday evening, a spell of very severe gales is expected to sweep east and northeast across the Celtic and Irish Sea to produce gusts of 50 to 60 mph in parts of west Wales and northwest England.
“There is the potential for gusts reaching 65 or 70 mph around exposed coasts and over high ground. Heavy, squally showers will accompany these strong winds. The winds will ease later in the night.”
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