While the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season has officially come to an end in the United States, across the pond, major storm systems and cyclones are just getting started.
The fourth named storm of the season, Storm Darragh, is stirring up into a major weather event, and is due to take aim at the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland later today through Saturday.
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Red and Amber Weather Warnings Put in Place, Indicating ‘Danger to Life’ as Storm Darragh Approaches
The UK’s Met Office has issued numerous yellow, amber, and above all, red weather alert warnings as the wall-eye of Storm Darragh makes impact later today.
Met Office Chief Forecaster, Jason Kelly, said: “The worst impacts from Storm Darragh will be felt as we go through the early hours of tomorrow morning and throughout Saturday with, in addition to the broad yellow warning, red and amber wind warnings in place from 1 am tomorrow. In the red warning area, we could see wind gusts of up to 90 miles per hour along the coasts of west and south Wales as well as funneling through the Bristol Channel, with some very large waves on exposed beaches.”
Red weather alert warnings are said to be put into place when a storm is forecasted to be ‘dangerous,’ and there is a ‘risk to life,’ involved. The weather alerts stretch from the southernmost point of England into the north of Scotland until Sunday, with Scotland forecasted to receive blizzard conditions.
Wind gusts of 90 mph or stronger are forecasted, as well as storm surges along the west coast of the United Kingdom, flooding, and torrential rain. Residents have been warned ahead of time that loss of power could also result from the impact of the storm, and to be prepared in advance for any electrical failures.
So far, seven flood warnings and 98 flood alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency for England, while six flood alerts are in place across Wales and 11 in Scotland.
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Expect Travel Disruptions and Warnings to Stay in Place Through the Weekend
Across England, the Republic of Ireland, and Scotland, travel disruptions are expected as road closures commence from either flooding or heavy snowfall and icy conditions in the north.
Flights, rail services, and public transportation services have either been delayed or canceled as Storm Darragh moves over the U.K. this afternoon. Commuters taking to the roads have been given a clear warning:
The RAC has advised motorists to postpone their journeys due to the “highly unusual” red weather warning. Spokeswoman Alice Simpson told the BBC: “Exposed rural and coastal routes will be particularly treacherous. Drivers in these areas should be wary of any high-sided vehicles as they are at risk of being buffeted off course or, worse still, blown over.”
Travel disruptions as far away as Europe have also been implemented. Flights in and out of Schipol Airport in Amsterdam have been canceled, with 100 flights grounded ahead of the storm.
After Storm Darragh exits the UK, the MetOffice has indicated that a ‘cold, arctic wind,’ will follow behind it, bringing wintry conditions to the entire country; causing saturated roads to freeze over with ice.