A spell of very strong winds will affect parts of southern England, the south Midlands and East Anglia during the afternoon and evening with gusts of 70-80 mph on exposed coasts in the west.
Inland, gusts of 50-60 mph are more probable, but perhaps briefly 60-70 mph in some places.
Forecasters warn that driving in these conditions can be dangerous, for you and other road users and If you must drive, you can do this more safely by taking the following actions:
- Drive slowly to minimise the impact of wind gusts
- Be aware of high sided vehicles/caravans on more exposed roads and be cautious when overtaking
- Give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual.
Being outside in high winds makes people more vulnerable to injury so the advice is to stay indoors as much as possible. If you do go out, try not to walk, or shelter, close to buildings and trees.
In advance of high winds, check for loose items outside your home and secure them. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences. If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.
Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities
Expect
- Longer journey times and cancellations likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected
- Some roads and bridges likely to close
- Probably some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
- Flying debris is likely and could lead to Injuries or danger to life
- There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties
Read the Met Office Weather Warning https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2024-01-02&id=3eab15b0-c391-4c02-a22e-549a1f52b70a