Power cuts likely as southern England faces damaging wind spells into Monday afternoon

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

February 5,2016; 9:50PM,EST

 

 

Storms packing strong winds and rainy spells will target the United Kingdom this weekend and into Monday with the south of England facing the greatest threat of damaging winds.
The first storm will move across the British Isles on Saturday with the second to follow during the latter half of the weekend and into Monday afternoon.
The second is expected to be the most potent and could become the next named storm to target the U.K. in the wake of storms Gertrude and Henry. If named, the storm will be called "Imogen."

While the northern British Isles endured the worst from storms Gertrude and Henry, this bout of storms is not expected to bring that level of damage.
On the other hand, damaging winds will be more of a concern in the south of England than from the previous storms.
Widespread damaging winds are not expected with Saturday's storm, but there will be occasional gusts to around 50 mph (80 km/h) in the south of England into Saturday evening. London will get the windiest conditions in the afternoon and evening.
These strong winds can lead to sporadic power cuts and flight delays. Similar gusts will also be measured in coastal parts of Wales, western Scotland and the southeast-facing coastal communities of Northern Ireland.
Areas along the English Channel could endure gusts to 60 mph (95 km/h) and more scattered power cuts and tree damage. People in Bournemouth and Plymouth could see the strongest impacts.
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Rain will also accompany Saturday's storm with the steadiest rain targeting South West England, Wales and the Midlands. Residents should prepare for slow travel and disruptions to outdoor plans.
"Any new minor flooding problems would be localized to where rivers are currently running high," AccuWeather Meteorologist Rob Richards said.
A lingering piece of Saturday's storm will bring more rain and gusty winds to Scotland and Northern Ireland on Sunday. Gusts of 50-60 mph (80-95 km/h) will whip southwestern Scotland and the northern coast of Northern Ireland.
At the same time, the second and more impactful storm will approach the British Isles.
Rainy and gusty wind spells from the second storm will span from later Sunday into Monday afternoon. Localized flooding may once again develop along already swollen streams and rivers, but wind will be the main impact.

Gusts of at least 50 mph (80 km/h) will target a large part of the south of England, threatening to cause power cuts, tree damage, flight delays and disruptions to rail and ferry services. Loose lawn items will easily get tossed around and damaged.
One burst of wind will spread from west to east across Wales and England from Sunday afternoon to early Monday morning, whipping London with gusts to around 50 mph (80 km/h) early Sunday night.
Another round of wind will bring the highest gusts of the storm to South West England on Monday. Widespread damaging gusts of 60-75 mph (95-120 km/h) will be produced in the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset.
More trees will be at risk of being toppled on Monday due to rain and wind earlier in the weekend weakening the soil.
Wind on Monday may make it difficult for crews to restore power to any areas that endured cuts on Sunday afternoon and evening.

The winds from Sunday to Monday will also bring "minor to moderate coastal flooding along the western-facing coasts of Wales and South West England," Richards said.
The danger of coastal flooding will be greatest on Monday at high tide. Astronomical tides will already be running higher than normal at that time due to Monday's new moon.
Winds will subside on Tuesday, but showers will keep parts of the U.K. unsettled as the next storm takes aim at France. Another storm may have the potential to bring more rain and wind to the U.K. at midweek.