Powerful Storm Jake brings power cuts and disruption to travel across the UK, Ireland

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist

March 2,2016; 9:05PM,EST

 

A series of storms will bring rounds of rain and strong winds to the British Isles into Friday.
The biggest threat will be from Storm Jake which will threaten parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland with damaging and travel-disrupting winds into Wednesday evening.

Wind gusts near 40 mph (65 km/h) will be possible across Greater London, but the strongest winds will be found farther west.
Storm Jake has already produced wind gusts near 60 mph (97 km/h) in Cornwall, England and Pembrey, Wales. A wind gust of 81 mph (130 km/h) was reported in Aberdaron.
Areas from Southwest England through Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland will continue to experience strong winds into Wednesday evening.
Wales Online reported several hundred homes without power along with numerous road closures due to fallen trees. Train service has also been impacted by the storm.
These strong winds will be capable of producing additional power cuts, downing trees and causing travel disruptions.

Giant fireball spotted over Scotland

A wind gust of 83 mph (133 km/h) was reported in Mace Head, while a 73 mph (117 km/h) gust was reported in Shannon, Ireland Wednesday morning. While the strongest winds have moved into the southwest United Kingdom, strong winds will continue across all of Ireland into this evening.
These strong winds are ushering a chilly air mass into Ireland. Snow showers will be possible across the higher terrain with a light accumulation of 5 cm (2 inches) possible.

Another blast of strong winds will reach northern and western Scotland Wednesday afternoon with gusts near or over 50 mph (80 km/h).
These winds will continue southeast across Wales and England Wednesday night with frequent gusts of 30-40 mph (50-65 km/h).
Showers will also be widespread across the U.K. on Wednesday, though there will be some dry periods throughout the day.
Wintry showers are possible across the higher terrain of the Midlands, northern England and Scotland into Wednesday evening. Accumulating snow will generally be above 200 meters (650 feet). The highest elevations could get up to 10 cm (4 inches) of snow.
In the lower elevations, snow can bring a quick coating causing slick travel. Temperatures above 0 C (32 F) will allow for any snow to melt quickly after ending.
Find out when the rain and snow will start or end with a minute-by-minute forecast for your precise location with AccuWeather's MinuteCast®.
RELATED:
Interactive United Kingdom radar
Detailed Forecast for London
UK spring forecast: Heavy rain to wane across Northern England as flood threat shifts southward
The stormy weather pattern will not end with Storm Jake. Thursday will feature less disruptive weather with a few showers and less wind; however, another storm will renew rain and gusty winds on Friday.
While no organized storm systems are expected to impact the U.K. this weekend, there will be a threat for showers and occasional gusty winds.