UK braced for severe storm and heavy rain

[EC]

Those of you in tornado alley, places with 20 feet of snow, and Texas or Colorado may giggle now.

Via the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24690552

Millions of people in England and Wales have been warned to prepare for heavy rain and hurricane-force winds on Sunday night and Monday.

Gusts of up to 80 mph (120 kph) are predicted in the South West , moving north and eastwards overnight.

There are fears about falling trees, buildings being damaged, flooding, travel disruption and power supplies.

The Met Office said 20-40mm (0.80-1.6 ins) of rain might fall within six to nine hours in the wettest areas.

It said the predicted storm - named St Jude after the patron saint of depression and lost causes, whose feast day is Monday - was not one "you would see every year".

A Met Office amber alert for high winds in southern Wales, southern England, much of the Midlands, the East, and London and the South East is in place.

A yellow alert warning of heavy rain that could lead to surface water flooding and disruption is in place for all areas, apart from London and the South East and eastern England.

This is the lowest level of the three warnings issued by the Met Office and advises people to "be aware".

An amber alert, advising people to "be prepared" for potentially hazardous conditions, is one level up from this.

The Environment Agency has warned of the possibility of surface water flooding on Monday but currently assesses it as a "low risk".

A spokesman said teams were working to minimise river flood risk, clearing debris from streams and unblocking culverts.

Michael Fish told the BBC technology had made earlier forecasting much easier

BBC Weather presenter Nick Miller said the storm is in a "developing and deepening" area of low pressure in the Atlantic which developed off the east coast of the US.

He said "there are still some uncertainties" about just how strong the winds will be, but a heavy band of rain across England and Wales would result in standing water and spray during rush hour on Monday.

More at link.

Oh goody! Just what I need on a Sunday. Battening down.

[rangerrebew]

Any update?  My wife has family living in Gainsborough.

[EC]

Nothing much as yet. SouthWest Trains are reducing service to a minimum for Monday and advising people not to travel unless necessary. It is hitting more slowly than expected,though we are already seeing some bouts of heavy rain and gusts.

[EC]

The BBC link in the first post has been updated - they are pretty good about updating the story as it unfolds.

[jmyrlefuller]

Remember when Mick Jagger came over after Sandy and said when it rains in London, it'll be our turn to go over and do a concert for them?

Let's see how many do that.

[Atomic Cow]

Sounds like a typical Texas thunderstorm outbreak.

[EC]

In terms of local weather conditions (London) right now:

We have heavy rain. Heavy enough that seeing the other side of the street from the windows is difficult. Wind - not so much. The odd gust, stripping the leaves off the trees, but nothing major as yet. Our barometer is sinking like a rock. Down to 728 mmHG and still falling.

Our barometer is an (accurate) one from the 1800's. Made in France. At the moment the arrow is pointing firmly at Tempete. It hasn't been that low since '87. It is still dropping.

[alicewonders]

Hang in there EC, hope you weather the storm!