North East and Cumbria: Storm brings weather warning and gale force winds


The northern regions of Cumbria and Northumberland faced severe weather conditions as Storm Éowyn ensued, causing disruptions in daily life. Gale force winds led to the shut down of many schools across both regions. Reports suggest that all train services, north of Newcastle, have been suspended. The National Rail has urged commuters to check their travel plans before leaving. According to the BBC, “An amber weather warning is in place for wind until 21:00, with some snow expected for Pennine and Border areas. There is an additional yellow wind warning all day for the north-east of England and Cumbria, and a yellow warning for temporary snow on hills in Pennine and Border areas valid until 12:00.”

The storm’s impact on north-western regions led to a spate of closures such as the A66 between Penrith and Scotch Corner and the A628. Evacuations were also made in advance such as the Sellafield workers, who were told to work from home. Additionally, at least two-thirds of all National Trust sites in the north-east of England were closed. Forestry England also advised people to stay clear of its sites in Cumbria due to the risk of falling trees.

There has been a concern raised about the occurrence of such climatic circumstances becoming increasingly frequent. Martin Gannon, Gatesshead Council leader, believed that the storm could be related to global warming, stating that such weather occurrences are becoming more frequent. The weather is expected to calm down by Saturday, although authorities have advised people to remain cautious during their commute and make necessary arrangements in case of power outages caused by flying debris

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More