UK braced for severe storm and heavy rainFallen tree on car in north London Pictures of damage occurring in windy weather have already started to emerge Continue reading the main story Related Stories How to prepare for a storm Storm warning sparks preparations Sandbags filled ahead of storm Watch Millions of people in England and Wales have been warned to prepare for heavy rain and hurricane-force winds on Sunday night and Monday. Gusts of up to 80mph (130km/h) are predicted as the storm hits the South West then moves north and eastwards. There are fears of flooding, damage and disruption. One train company has already advised people not to travel. Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted to say he had chaired a discussion on plans to protect people from the storm. Continue reading the main story No hurricane BBC weather forecaster Michael Fish was left famously red-faced when, on the eve of the Great Storm of 1987, he assured the British public there would be no hurricane. Though he failed to predict a ferocious storm was about to turn north and hit the UK, he was correct on the hurricane point. Britain cannot experience hurricanes - the word is used for tropical cyclones when they form in the Atlantic and north-east Pacific. These are low pressure systems which develop over tropical or sub-tropical waters - not the cold waters around Britain - which become cyclones once wind speeds reach 74mph (119km/h). If a hurricane did head for Britain it would be reclassified as an extra tropical storm before arriving. Such storms can be powerful - but even if the winds exceeded 74mph it would not be called a hurricane. In any case the storm currently expected to hit the UK is no such thing. Far from forming over warm waters, it is expected to form close to the coast before hitting the South West and heading across the country. In the conference call, joined by staff from organisations including the Met Office and the environment and highways agencies, Mr Cameron heard the storm could have a widespread impact, his spokesman said. But he was told there were plans in place to minimise the effect on public services such as schools, the NHS, transport and power supplies. Autumn storm approaches UK The Met Office said 20-40mm (0.80-1.6 ins) of rain might fall within six to nine hours in the wettest areas. It said the predicted storm - named St Jude after the patron saint of depression and lost causes, whose feast day is on Monday - was not one you would see every year. OMG x
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 15:48:27 +0000