UK weather: Storm Pia to bring 80mph winds as Met Office issues yellow warning
A yellow weather warning has been issued ahead of Storm Pia bringing 80mph winds to Britain.
Strong winds are forecast to cause travel disruption for large areas of northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Thursday as an area of low pressure moves in from the Norwegian Sea.
The weather front has been named as Storm Pia by the Danish Meteorological Institute, which is forecasting “hurricane force” winds for the country.
The Met Office has issued a yellow severe warning for strong winds for the whole of Thursday, covering all areas of the UK north of Birmingham, which says it will be “potentially causing some travel disruption” and “there is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris”.
Winds could continue into Friday
Chris Almond, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said: “From late Wednesday into Thursday, strong winds are likely to develop across a large area of the UK.
“We’ve issued a large yellow warning area where there’s a potential for some impacts, but gusts of 50-60mph are possible for large parts of central and northern areas of the UK.
“Exposed coasts and high ground could see gusts of 70-80mph at times. There’s a chance this low pressure will continue to exert its influence into Friday, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecast.”
The agency said it would remain windy for many on Friday, with further periods of rain likely to sweep in from the west, but any snow would be confined to the hills of Scotland.
Much of Britain is expected to remain cold and showery on the weekend before Christmas and on Christmas Day itself, with only high ground north of the Scottish border forecast to experience a White Christmas.
