Just when we thought we had seen the back of stormy weather after Eunice's devastating visit, the Met Office has announced another is on its way. But it looks like Storm Franklin will affect the north, rather than the south of the UK tonight (Sunday, February 20) and into tomorrow morning.
Forecasters predict wind gusts from Storm Franklin will be less powerful than Storm Eunice, which triggered two red weather warnings for wind. As Franklin approaches, northern areas of Northern Ireland have been issued with an amber wind warning, which will be in force from early Monday morning.
Within the amber warning area, winds could be in excess of 80mph in exposed coastal areas, but more widely between 60 and and 70mph. Damage to buildings is possible, and there’s likely travel disruption, according to the Met Office.
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An extended yellow warning for wind which covers much of the rest of the UK, except the north east, has also been issued for Storm Franklin. Within the yellow warning area, wind gusts could reach 65-75mph in coastal areas, and more widely 50-60mph further inland.
The coasts of the north west of England and the south west of Scotland could see gusts of up to 75mph for a short period tonight and early tomorrow morning. The centre of Storm Franklin will track eastwards over the north of Scotland from early Monday morning, with the highest winds expected on the southern flank of the system.
The centre of the storm will clear into the North Sea on Monday morning. But high winds will continue to be felt for most through Monday, as is reflected in the Yellow Weather Warning.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “Following the significant impacts of Storm Eunice on Friday, Storm Franklin will bring further high winds for many late on Sunday and into Monday, although not on the same scale as Eunice. Coastal areas of Northern Ireland, especially on that north coast, will get the strongest wind gusts, which could be around 80mph in a few places.
"Amber and yellow wind warnings have been issued, and people should remain cautious ahead of the system that will bring 50-60mph wind gusts for much of the UK from late on Sunday and through Monday.”
A yellow weather warning is also in force in the north west of England, with heavy rain expected through much of today. Some associated snow is possible for many in Scotland and the north of England late today and into tomorrow.
The highest accumulations will be in the high ground, adding to existing lying snow in many of these areas. But snow is also possible in some lower ground in the north.
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