Rain and gales batter the UK

[The Patriot]

Rain and gales batter the UK

01-03-2012 02:58 AM

Published:
Tue, 2012-01-03 10:58


Rain and gales batter the UK


Heather Joy


Rain and gales batter the UK


Gusts of 50 mph or more have been reported, with gusts as high as 97 mph recorded in other areas.


Travel has been disrupted, just as many people return to work for the first time since the Christmas holiday, by heavy rains and gales.
According to the Met Office gusts of 50 mph or more had been reported in many areas with 97 mph on Islay in the Hebrides at 6 a.m. this morning.
The gales are accompanied by widespread drenching rain, with the possibility of localized flooding, according to a report in the Guardian.
There are severe weather warnings in place for most of southern and western England, west Wales, Northern Ireland and bulk of Scotland it is reported.
The inclement weather has already caused disruptions to transport, interrupting train schedules and canceling ferry crossings.
Drivers planning to use the Dartford crossing between Kent and Essex are being warned of possible delays. A Highway Agency spokesman told the Guardian, “As a precaution, the east tunnel will be closed to northbound, anticlockwise traffic from 4 a.m. with the possibility of gales affecting the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge which normally carries clockwise, southbound traffic from the M25 across the Thames.”
While the rain is expected to clear this afternoon, the Met Office continues to renew the severe weather warnings for large sections of the country through till Wednesday as another band of wet weather are expected to pass through. They also expect the strong winds will remain into Thursday, through gradually easing.








More...