Stormy weather across the UK
The storm which hit the UK Sunday night and through Monday gave rise to some dramatic footage taken around southern coasts of England and Wales. However, while the storm was not exceptional in itself, a combination of things is said to have made the storm more unusual.
According to the Met Office, the strength of the storm, depth of the low pressure and the fact that it hit the UK at a time which coincided with high spring tides, made it more unusual. A storm of this strength and southerly position at this time of year, they say is the kind of storm which would occur once every 5 years.
The storm which originated across Canada and the US was swept across the Atlantic by a very strong jet stream. This is a corridor of strong winds in the upper atmosphere which drives weather systems.
Strongest winds yesterday were reported at the Mumbles, South Wales, recording 82mph (132km/h) and The Needles, Isle of Wight, recording 95mph (153km/h). Similar wind strengths were recorded across Northern France as the storm buffeted the near continent as well. The French Met Service (Meteo France) recorded 96mph (155km/h) at Raz (in the Finistere department).
Another storm is set to hit the UK overnight, but this time the strongest winds are expected to be across Northern Ireland and Northern England with gusts in excess of 80mph possible in exposed places. Gale force winds may return across a large swathe of the country.
