UK weather: high winds to batter coasts of Wales and southern England

Gusts reaching up to 75mph (120km/h) are anticipated to lash the coastlines of southern England and Wales over the weekend, while other regions of the UK are still in the process of recovering from the impacts of Storm Gerrit.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for high winds in the south-east, south-west, East Anglia, and Wales, beginning from 11 am on Saturday until 3 am on Sunday, New Year’s Eve. Separate yellow warnings have been issued for sleet and snow in Scotland and rain in Northern Ireland on Saturday.

Revelers welcoming the New Year have been advised to bundle up, as conditions in many parts of the UK may feel close to freezing when the clock strikes midnight.

Several areas in the UK are grappling with the aftermath of extreme weather. In North Yorkshire, three individuals lost their lives when their 4x4 vehicle was submerged in a river during flooding.

About 1,500 homes in Scotland endured a second night without power, and a lightning strike disrupted supplies in Wales on Thursday.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) reported the restoration of power to over 47,000 properties affected by the storm, with the north-east and Shetland experiencing the most significant impact. Efforts were underway on Friday to restore power to approximately 450 homes, with welfare vans providing hot food and drinks to affected customers.

River levels surged across the UK due to the storm, resulting in 28 flood warnings in England. The River Severn breached its banks in Shrewsbury, submerging nearby benches. In Tameside, Greater Manchester, residents were dealing with the aftermath of a tornado that brought down trees and damaged roofs in Stalybridge and Carrbrook.

Ferry services faced cancellations and delays, particularly between Dover and France, where strong winds in the Channel caused disruptions. Air travel in and out of the UK experienced disruptions, with some cancellations, although most services returned to normal.

The Met Office noted the possibility of another storm, Storm Hank, as a "deep area of low pressure" was forecast to bring strong winds across Ireland on Saturday, according to its Irish counterpart, Met Éireann.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill highlighted the cold temperatures on New Year’s Eve night, advising people to "wrap up quite warm" as there would be a "chilly feel to things as the clock strikes midnight."

ब्रिटेन का मौसम: वेल्स और दक्षिणी इंग्लैंड के तट पर तेज़ हवाएँ चल रही हैं