Ex Ts Katia In The UK - Chat Thread 3

[glasgow-guy]

wind really beginning to pick up here now gusts of 39mph being reported

[picog]

Pretty windy here already. Looking at the Met O observations page, it appears the strongest winds are across central Wales and the midlands?

[Backtrack]

Lol, a whopping 8.3mph here.

[Coast]

Scots urged to prepare for lash of Katia's tail

Published Date: 12 September 2011

By Alastair Dalton

Transport Correspondent

SCOTLAND is on storm alert amid warnings of potentially devastating winds of up to 80mph lashing the country by tonight. The tail-end of what was Hurricane Katia is expected to sweep in this afternoon, battering the Central Belt and lashing the west coast with heavy rain until tomorrow. The Scottish Government warned that travel is likely to be "difficult" and urged commuters to leave work early today. The Met Office highlighted the increased threat of falling trees because they have yet to lose their leaves, making them more prone to being uprooted. Forecaster Ian Robinson said wind speeds would increase during the day, from 50mph in the morning to 60-70mph by the afternoon, and 80mph in places this evening. He said the strong winds would continue into tomorrow morning before abating.

Mr Robinson said the worst hit areas could include the Borders and East Lothian, with the winds receiving an extra "bounce" as they crossed the Southern Uplands. However, there will also be persistent heavy rain in northern Argyll, Lochaber and the west Highlands, where winds are also expected to reach 60mph. "This is being caused by the remnants of Hurricane Katia, which is now just a deep Atlantic depression," Mr Robinson said. "Scotland gets this type of storm several times every winter, but the difference is this one has come early, when trees are still in full leaf, making it easier for them to be pushed over. "It is also a damp end of the summer, which hinders trees' ability to hold their ground."

Transport minister Keith Brown said extra transport staff were being moved to areas likely to be hit. Speaking after a meeting of the Scottish Government's resilience room yesterday, he said: "Forecasts suggest travel conditions are likely to be difficult. "Robust contingency arrangements are in place, so people should not panic but we should be prepared. "There is likely to be some disruption to roads, rail and ferry services, so travellers are advised to allow more time for journeys. "The high winds and heavy rain are expected to peak on Monday afternoon and evening, so commuters are advised that if they can leave work earlier that would be a very sensible step to help avoid rush-hour delays. Network Rail said it would have extra staff on hand to deal with damage, some equipped with chainsaws to clear fallen trees. Spokesman Keith Lumley said ScotRail may cut services later today if conditions deteriorate to reduce the risk to trains from landslips and fallen trees. ScotRail, which is also drafting in extra staff, confirmed that temporary timetables may be introduced, and urged passengers to check its website.

West coast ferries face a second day of disruption after sailings on several routes were cancelled yesterday by the weather. Caledonian MacBrayne halted services between Lochranza on Arran and Claonaig in Kintyre, while its Oban-Colonsay route was also suspended. An "amber" flood alert was issued yesterday for Tayside by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. It said: " Rivers levels are particularly high in the upper tributaries of the River Tay and the River Earn and are likely to remain high into Monday." "We are all working hard to keep Scotland moving and I urge everyone to allow extra time for travel, avoid unnecessary risks and keep checking websites and local radio for information."

http://news.scotsman...p?articlepage=2

[SP1986]

Still nothing to write home about here - I know people will say calm before the storm but I think this is the peak here today - not being pessimistic either - just highlighting my expectations due to numerous variables, one of the most important being the shelter of the welsh hills preventing this from being any stronger

[Backtrack]

Still nothing to write home about here - I know people will say calm before the storm but I think this is the peak here today - not being pessimistic either - just highlighting my expectations due to numerous variables, one of the most important being the shelter of the welsh hills preventing this from being any stronger

The eye isn't even over Scotland yet, and the wind is increasing every update on XC Weather.

Of course this isn't the peak

It will peak around 2pm.

[Coast]

Environment Agency Wales warns of high tide coast risk

Heavy sea off Trearddur Bay on Anglesey on Sunday

People have been advised to steer clear of seafronts around the Welsh coastline during high tides over the next 48 hours. Environment Agency Wales has also warned of possible flooding along the coast at high tide early on Monday and again on Tuesday. North Wales is braced for storms as the remnants of Hurricane Katia head for northern parts of the UK. But high tides are predicted for the whole of the Welsh coast.

The Environment Agency said the forecast strong winds, offshore waves and high tides could lead to flood alerts and warnings. The agency said its officers will also be out on the ground checking flood defences and will deploy temporary measures if needed. They advised people to steer clear of the sea front during the high tides as conditions may be hazardous. BBC Wales correspondent Colette Hume reported on Sunday: "Strong winds and heavy seas are already battering the Anglesey coastline. "Gusts of wind have knocked me off my feet here at Trearddur Bay. The weather began to worsen just after midday and the wind appears to be strengthening.

"At times it's hard to stay upright."

Billy Payne, forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: "The deep low pressure system which has come from the remnants of Hurricane Katia will approach north west Scotland tonight with strong winds hitting during Monday. "There will be rain and widespread gusts of between 50-70mph across Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales and northern England while western parts of northern Scotland, which are most prone, could see gusts of up to 80mph. "There is the potential for damage especially with trees and the winds will be strong enough to cause some structural problems."

http://www.bbc.co.uk...-wales-14872357

[lorenzo]

This lull and late arrival is actually concerning, I fear many folk will just set out today thinking, oh well nothing much happening.

Only to get surprised as the storm arrives after lunchtime

[VillagePlank]

Here, in Erith, High=27mph, 10mAv=13

[loopydreamer]

hi!

its definetly got a little windier here in the last hour! hmm! sounds like parts of wales are getting quite strong winds already this morning!

[Coast]

Here she comes!

[tonbridgemole]

Had a gust of 36 mph...Trees are swaying and constant Drizzle

[SP1986]

The eye isn't even over Scotland yet, and the wind is increasing every update on XC Weather.

Of course this isn't the peak

It will peak around 2pm.

I don't mean in general, I mean locally - in south west winds it really is sheltered - the winds will die back a little before it turns west in late afternoon. That said you are more exposed than here so maybe you will get some stronger winds

[peterf]

just arrived in the last 15 mins.

[toggerob]

0800am rainfall radar makes for interesting viewing, seeing any convection within the system literally being sheared with the winds aloft. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/radar/ just wait until those upper winds make it to surface level throughout the day, thats when ex-Katia starts to make an impact.

[loopydreamer]

Here she comes!

wow! indeed! im kind of wrestling with my conscience here because i cant help but feel so excited watching katia come and at the same time noone wants a tree on their house!

[Aaron]

Pressure here is now at 989.9 mb

[SalopWatcher]

Been pretty stong gusts (for Shropshire already this AM) with Shawbury reporting 43/44 mph in the last couple of hours. Not 70mph + but thats pretty noticable wind when out and about in it, and seen plenty of bins and signs blown over on drive to work and some small branches down (while the rest of the trees are blowing about)

More than I was expecting this AM to be fair.

Seems to have eased off a bit now though.

[AWD]

Current sustained windspeed here is 5mph, highest gust is 28mph at 02.14!!

Pressure is 999.6mb!! To summarise, drizzly, overcast, cool and breezy!!

[nodrog]

I know we have not gone through Katia... dont start. But look...Maria expected to upgrade CAT 1 by WED's. Mods put this in new topic if you wish.

[Slinky]

gusts up to 27mph here in the fens at the moment, a max gust of 31mph recorded so far. I expect to see a gust of 50mph before sun down

[Carl46Wrexham]

It was still relatively quiet here an hour ago, but winds have picked up noticeably since then. Some pretty lively gusts now. Gusting up to 72mph at Lake Vyrnwy and 79mph at Capel Curig.

Edited September 12, 2011 by Carl43Wrexham

[P-M]

Just got to work in Benwell (west end) and it's higher up here, already some gusty conditions and mean wind speed starting to pick up. Nothing noteworthy yest though!

[Liam J]

Very strong gusts howling round the house now, chimney roaring.

[Argyllcraig]

Pressure dropped to 969 just off northern ireland on buoy 62105

seems quite calm in Glasgow although Bishopton is reporting sustained winds of 24mph now