Summer Sun

Spare a thought for the RNLI and other emergency people who are desperately looking for the 14 year old lad this evening in treacherous conditions

The Highways Agency said the Queen Elizabeth II bridge on the M25, which forms part of the Dartford River Crossing between Essex and Kent, was expected to close in the very early hours of Monday morning due to the high winds. However, the tunnel part of the crossing is expected to remain open and will operate in contraflow (one tunnel running in each direction) to allow traffic to still get across the Thames.

Latest from Gibby The General Situation. All models show an intense Atlantic Autumn storm whistling in from the SW as I type with heavy rain already moving steadily North across Southern Britain. Later in the night strong winds will increase to storm force in places with gusts between 60-80mph for many and not just near the coast. these last through the morning transferring out into the North sea along with the storm. Thereafter a showery West then NW wind is shown with some heavy showers in places especially on Monday afternoon and it will feel rather colder than of late. By the middle of the week a ridge of High pressure moves East across the UK bringing a period of dry and fine weather for a time with a chilly night on Tuesday night with a few mist patches. Through the midweek period cloud will increase from the West with another band of rain moving East and SE across the UK reaching the SE where it's clearance becomes delayed as a wave develops on the front. In the North Thursday will probably become showers and blustery in a Westerly breeze. By the end of the week things remain unsettled with Low pressure to the North and a blustery west wind bringing some rain at times to all areas. GFS then shows a very changeable second half of the run with rain at times and strong winds with the heaviest rain and the windiest conditions over Northern Britain. High pressure does settle close to the South at times and pushes drier and brighter weather for all North into much of the UK right at the end of the run. UKMO tonight shows Low pressure winding itself up to the West of Ireland on Saturday with rain and strong winds spilling NE across the UK on Saturday followed by clearer or brighter conditions with squally showers in temperatures close to average. GEM looks distinctly unsettled and at times quite stormy as Low pressure move East across the UK repeatedly along with troughs which each deliver their own spell of rain and Westerly gales alternating with squally showers, wintry on Northern hills at times. NAVGEM too shows very unsettled weather next weekend with rain and showers for all in association with Low pressure to the West of Scotland. Winds will often be strong from the West with just brief drier and more showery interludes in average temperatures. ECM shows cool and unsettled weather with showers or longer spells of rain and severe gales at times. Some of the rain will be heavy and it will become chilly enough at times for some wintry showers over Northern hills. The GFS Ensembles continue to show very changeable weather with wind and rain never far away with just brief drier interludes. On the whole nationwide temperatures will be close to average but with some warmer than colder than average days mixed in too. The Jet Stream shows the strong and powerful flow continuing to pump East across the Atlantic Ocean and across the British Isles for some considerable time to come with little visual evidence of any significant changes. In Summary the weather looks very disturbed and typically Autumnal tonight. All areas will be prone to periods of rain alternating with brighter and more showery conditions. At times it will be very windy with gales and with temperatures rather lower than of late though not particularly low it will certainly feel colder than of late. Frost and fog problems are unlikely however as winds will be a big factor in preventing this. http://www.norton-ra...is(2859336).htm

If this storm fails to bring the predicted winds and rain rail passengers will be going bonkers with all these cancellations

The beeb are reporting he was swimming with friends A 14-year-old boy has been swept away by the sea in Sussex, police say. Sussex Police received a call at 16:15 GMT to say the boy, who had been swimming with a friend off West Beach in Newhaven, had been "swept away by the current". A search is under way involving police and the coastguard. Police have warned people to be careful near the coast during the "imminent serious weather conditions". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-24697520

Next incoming low showing on UKMO The only difference this time is its taking a more traditional route so it shouldn't cause as many headaches as this low over the next 18 hours or so is

This is why people should not go swimming in the sea on days like this. This is a warning to all do not go near the sea during these gales

21:30 ish now we are in GMT UKMO has the low at 975mb it deepens further but only once its left the UK Next incoming low showing on UKMO as well

Lovely, just a shame its way out in FI.............................

Video from chief met office forecaster Nick Grahame

Timings for the strongest winds The track of the low is further south now compared to 48 hours ago

If you use southern trains and plan to get to work with them in the morning then don't bother it is "highly unlikely" it will run any services before 9am on Monday morning because of the approaching storm Southern Railway has said it is "highly unlikely" it will run any services early on Monday morning because of the approaching storm. An amber weather warning has been issued across large parts of England and Wales as a hurricane-strength storm builds over the Atlantic and moves towards Britain. Some have compared its potential to the Great Storm of 1987, when 18 people died and thousands of homes were without power for several days. Veteran weatherman Michael Fish famously failed to predict its severity before it flattened trees, knocked out power and left 22 people dead in England and France. This time he has warned people to "batten down the hatches" and to delay their journey by two or three hours on Monday morning. He told Sky News' Murnaghan show: "There is certainly a severe storm on the way - and we certainly do need to worry about it. "If you draw a line from about Aberystwyth to the Humber - everywhere south of there looks like getting affected by strong winds, to the north of that the problem is going to be heavy rain and localised flooding. "These strong winds aren't going to last all that long, but they are going to be unfortunately getting up around about rush hour time, so the message we're trying to convey at the moment is to delay your journey just by two or three hours in the morning, and then you should be safe." http://news.sky.com/story/1160250/storm-southern-trains-cancels-morning-services

12z looks weaker worst conditions at the coast The storm deepens further but well away from the UK, looks worse in Denmark, Norway and Sweden than the UK Still some strong winds for the south but maybe we could get lucky and avoid the worst the next 9 hours or so will be crucial

Latest statement from south west trains South West Trains passengers have been told not to travel on Monday with most services not running until at least 08:00 GMT. A reduced timetable will be in operation while trains will be limited to 50mph in high winds, leading to extended journey times. Southern and Gatwick Express services will not run until it is declared safe as tracks may have to be cleared. First Great Western has also warned of extended travelling times. Southeastern Trains said if the storm was as disruptive as predicted, it was likely to run services later than usual. All operators advised customers to check their websites and Twitter feeds for the latest information. A spokesman for South West Trains said: "Our advice to passengers is very clear; don't travel unless it is absolutely necessary. "Like other transport operators, we are continuing to monitor the situation closely and we will put the safety of customers and our staff first." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-24694201

First pictures of the damaged caused by falling trees are emerging http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24690552

Here is the lunch time week ahead forecast

Roads, flights and trains are expected to be disrupted and some rail operators have already announced revised timetables. South West Trains has advised people not to travel. It said it would operate a "significantly reduced timetable" and some trains would run at reduced speeds. Southern said its services - including the Gatwick Express - might not start until 9am or 10am on Monday, a move designed to "give Network Rail the chance to clear the tracks". It will also run fewer trains than usual. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24690552

http://www.cbc.ca/calgary/webcam/cgy_roofcam.jpg

South West Trains advise passengers against travel on Monday and announce "significantly reduced" timetable

Indeed it is 8 weeks as yesterday will be the shortest day 5 weeks today will be the first day of winter

BBC weather for the week ahead includes a look at tomorrows storm

BBC weather for the week ahead includes a look at tomorrows storm

Michael Fish was also on the BBC news channel this morning http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24689376

The main storm hasn't arrived yet and the first power cut from a fallen tree has happened More than 1,000 homes without power in Pangbourne, Berkshire after report falling tree brought down power line

Yes 3:30 other times were correct now changed