UPDATE: The Met Office has just announced 21-hour and 14-hour yellow weather warnings for Surrey, urging residents to prepare for severe storms with strong winds and heavy rain. These warnings will take effect starting Thursday, October 23, with significant rainfall expected to begin as early as 9 PM on Wednesday, October 22.
Residents are advised to protect their properties as heavy rain could pose a flood risk. Rainfall amounts could reach between 25-40 mm within a mere twelve hours, combined with strong gusts up to 46 mph on Thursday. This severe weather is likely to cause travel disruptions, impacting transportation across the region and potentially causing damage to buildings.
The Met Office attributes this incoming storm to a complex area of low pressure moving from the mid-Atlantic towards the UK. While the full strength of the storm remains uncertain, officials predict at least a medium impact on the area, with strong winds expected to create treacherous driving conditions.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Tom Crabtree, emphasized the urgency, stating, “
By Wednesday evening we’ll see increasingly unsettled weather moving in from the west. Heavy rain and strong gusty winds will move along the south of the UK.
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As the weather deteriorates overnight into Thursday, residents should remain vigilant. The risk of power outages, reduced mobile data coverage, and potential injuries from flying debris are elevated. Homeowners are encouraged to check properties for flood risks and consider creating an emergency plan, including a flood kit.
Those planning to drive should exercise caution, as heavy rain and surface spray may limit visibility. Road surfaces could flood rapidly, and the strong winds will add to the hazards. The storm is expected to produce gusts of up to 39 mph during the early hours of Thursday, peaking at 44 mph around midday.
Looking ahead, the weather is expected to stabilize slightly by the weekend, with cloud cover and temperatures around 10°C on Friday, and milder conditions with highs of 11°C on Saturday and Sunday. However, wind gusts will still reach up to 38 mph.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated on weather conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and that of their property. This is a developing situation, and further updates will follow as the storm approaches.
Stay tuned for more urgent weather updates and ensure you are prepared for the conditions ahead.
