As the UK braces for what could be the hottest day of the year, Storm Kathleen is causing chaos with winds reaching up to 70mph and heavy rainfall. The Met Office has issued a “danger to life” warning, particularly for western regions, as flights are grounded and coastal areas prepare for large waves.
The onslaught of Storm Kathleen has led to the cancellation of around 70 flights, with Belfast City Airport halting all Aer Lingus services. As the storm surges in from the Atlantic, gusts of up to 70mph are expected to batter Northern Ireland and western parts of Britain. Meanwhile, temperatures could soar to a high of 22°C (72°F) in the east, marking the hottest temperatures recorded this year.
The Met Office’s yellow weather warning for wind, valid until 10pm, covers extensive regions including Cornwall, Wales, Lancashire, Cumbria, and central Scotland. Heavy rainfall overnight has already led to flooding concerns, prompting the Environment Agency to issue 15 flood warnings and 124 flood alerts across England.
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The impact of Storm Kathleen extends beyond the skies, with 43 red cautions for strong streams issued for the River Thames and four flood alerts by National Resources Wales in areas adjacent to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Furthermore, the Met Office’s shipping forecast has issued 20 gale warnings for sea areas including Viking, Plymouth, Biscay, Sole, and Lundy.
Amidst the wind and rain, forecasters predict temperatures in East Anglia to climb to 22°C (72°F), making Saturday the hottest day of the year so far. However, the Met Office warns that despite the warmth, regions in the storm’s path may experience cooler temperatures due to the high winds.
While the UK basks in warmer weather, Storm Kathleen continues to pose risks, with potential disruptions to road, rail, and ferry services, as well as the possibility of power cuts and mobile network outages. With the storm named by Ireland’s Met Éireann, amber alerts have been issued for Cork, Kerry, Galway, and Mayo, urging residents to remain vigilant amidst challenging travel conditions and the threat of power outages and coastal flooding.
Data Source: sky