Storm Ciarán: Met Office issues ‘danger to life’ weather warning as storm heads to UK

The Met Office has issued “danger to life” warnings across southern England as the region is set to be battered by strong winds caused by Storm Ciarán this week.

An amber wind warning has been issued for the south-west and parts of Wales between 3am and 1pm on Thursday. Another amber warning was put in place for the south-east between 6am and 8pm on Thursday.

“Amber weather warnings issued. Very strong and damaging winds associated with Storm Ciarán bringing travel disruption. Large waves may also bring coastal impacts,” the Met Office said on X, formerly Twitter.

Flooding caused by Storm Ciarán is connected to climate change with risks more likely in the future due to rising sea levels, Ireland’s environment minister said.

“My heart goes out to those up in Cooley/Carlingford, down in Wexford I know there has been particular flooding, as well as Newry, as well as what happened to Middleton (Co Cork) obviously a few weeks ago,” Eamon Ryan told RTE Radio One.

“Those parts of the country in the south-east tend to be more at risk because of softer ground conditions at the coast. Because there’s also a kind of a longer term trend in terms of that coastline lowering slightly and also obviously rising sea levels.

“So it is connected to climate change. We have to manage and protect our coasts and our people. We can do that, but we have to recognise the reality – the seas are rising, there are particular difficulties also with heavier rains coming, as well as the other elements of coastal erosion.”

Jersey islanders have been warned to remain vigilant amid 90mph winds that are expected to batter the region as Storm Ciarán approaches the UK.

“This is an active situation, and we are closely monitoring the evolving weather patterns and will be releasing further instructions and advice through our official channels in due course.

“We urge everyone to remain vigilant and prepared for severe conditions,” Jersey emergency planning officer Kevin Murphy said.

A bridge has partially collapsed in Ireland due to flooding brought on by Storm Ciarán, according to images posted by residents.

The bridge in County Louth, Ireland, was seen with large chunks missing from it as rainwater gushed underneath and through the gaps.

It comes as the Met Office issued a “danger to life” amber warning amid 80mph winds and heavy rain.

Drivers should take “extra precautions” as they drive across the Northern Ireland this morning, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

“Motorists are advised to take extra precautions when driving this morning, as heavy rainfall across the country overnight has left the roads hazardous in some areas,” it said on X, formerly Twitter.

“Keep a safe distance from the car in front and exercise caution at all times.”

The Met Office has warned of “strong winds and heavy rain” this week as Storm Ciarán is set to hit the UK.

A staggering 72 flood warnings have been issued across England and a further 172 flood alerts, while Scotland has been isued with 18 flood warnings and 11 flood alerts.

Read more here to track when and where the 90mph winds will hit this week:

More heavy rain is expected to sweep over the north east of Scotland in the coming days prompting the Met Office to issue another weather alert.

The latest yellow weather warning for rain covers Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee, and Perth and Kinross – most of which saw prolonged downpours cause problems for residents last week including flooding.

The warning will run from 12pm on Thursday to 12pm on Saturday.

Seven people are known to have died in the UK during Storm Babet, including three people north of the border. They were Wendy Taylor, 57, of Perthshire; John Gillan, 56, of Arbroath; and Peter Pelling, 61, also of Arbroath.

As Brits brace themselves for the arrival of Storm Ciarán, here is a look at the weather forecast for the week ahead, with heavy rain pours expected to arrive before the storm makes land.

A staggering 72 flood warnings have been issued across England and a further 172 flood alerts, while Scotland has been isued with 18 flood warnings and 11 flood alerts.

The third named storm of this year’s season comes after areas across Scotland and north-east England were battered with the worst of Storm Babet, which caused serious damage and several deaths when it hit last week.

Met office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Chris Almond, said: “Heavy and persistent rain will fall onto already saturated ground bringing a risk of further impacts such as flooding in areas that are already struggling to clean up from the heavy rainfall we have seen over the last week or so.”

Across the UK, the Environment Agency has issued more than 70 flood warnings ahead of the arrival of Storm Ciaran tomorrow while yellow weather warnings for rain have been issued by the Met Office from Monday until Thursday.

Gusts of 80mph are possible along the south coast of England, with 20 to 25mm of rain expected across southern and western areas, but potentially up to 40 to 60mm over higher ground, the Met Office said.

The forecaster advises the latest rain could lead to disruption to roads and public transport while already flood-affected areas after Storm Babet could get worse.

Flooding was seen across Sussex during the weekend, including the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre in Hastings, which was evacuated on Saturday with people posting on social media showing deep floodwater coming through the entrance.

On Sunday, a caravan park in Bognor Regis was also underwater, the town’s Tesco supermarket car park was flooded and a house had its roof ripped off in heavy winds that residents described as like a “tornado”.

“We’ve had various warnings in force across the UK over the last few days and there are plenty more being issued for the next couple of days,” Marco Petagna, a Met Office meteorologist, said.

“The main focus in the next day or two is towards the east of Scotland and north-east England where there is a yellow rain warning until 3am.

“There will be persistent rain up there and then the focus for heavy showers will be across parts of southern and south eastern England and south Wales as well as parts of Northern Ireland with some heavy and sudden showers.”