Yellow Met Office Wind Warning issued

AEW staff and students are urged to take care today and over the weekend as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning for wet and windy weather

There are two weather warnings issued for today and over the weekend within the West Midlands Conurbation:

• 1500hrs tomorrow (Fri 6th) – 0600hrs (Sun 8th) - A Yellow Met Office Wind Warning

The latest snapshot:

HEADLINE: Unsettled for the remainder of the week with Storm Darragh bringing wet and very windy conditions Friday and Saturday.

A period of wet and at times windy weather for the next few days as a series of Atlantic depressions move across the UK and a particularly deep low has now been named Darragh, the fourth named storm of the 2024/2025 season. Through the remainder of today a few scattered showers at first but some heavy and squally showers moving across the Midlands during the afternoon and evening with the risk of some hail, lightning and thunder and strong gusty winds. Some heavy rain across Shropshire and Staffordshire in particular with the potential for 20-30mm in some places in a short space of time and the potential for the south-west to westerly winds to gust up to 40-50mph across much of the region which may cause some disruption. There are separate Rain and Wind Warnings out for today and overnight. A brief respite during the day on Friday before the winds strengthen later in the day and overnight in association with Storm Darragh. Initially the winds will be from a southerly quadrant but will veer to the north or north-west and strengthen during Saturday with strong, gusty winds with quite widespread gusts of 40-50mph and locally 60mph and a significant wind-chill. Winds will be even stronger around western coasts and hills. This is likely to cause some travel disruption, structural damage and impact seasonal activities i.e., Christmas markets etc. There will also be some locally heavy rain. Drier and colder on Sunday with the winds moderating through the day and then more settled conditions for the start of next week.

Potential Impacts of the Wind Warning on Friday / Saturday:

• There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
• It is likely that some roads and bridges could close, with impacts from falling trees
• There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
• There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris
• There is likely to be longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected