As two storms make their way across the UK, strong winds and heavy rain have led to widespread disruption. Train lines have already been impacted, with further delays and cancellations expected, while four League Two football matches were postponed due to waterlogged pitches. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for much of the country, with one particular warning in northwest England set to remain in place until 3:00 GMT on Sunday.
The tumultuous weather is being caused by two storms, Elin and Fergus, that are tracking one after the other across the Atlantic Ocean and over the UK. Elin had brought heavy rain and strong winds to much of the country by Saturday afternoon, with Fergus set to make a similar impact on Sunday. A band of heavy wind and rain was due to move across the UK from the southwest towards the northeast on Saturday, with Northern Ireland, northern England, the Midlands, and Wales set to experience some of the strongest winds.
According to a spokesperson for the Met Office, “The weather can become turbulent due to a strong jet stream spawning multiple areas of low pressure. It’s not uncommon for these lows to intensify into storms, impacting Ireland and the UK in rapid succession.” Since 2015, the UK and the Irish weather services have named storms to make it easier for the public to engage with extreme weather. This year, the Dutch service also became part of the naming group.
There are flood alerts in place throughout the country, with some areas, such as Scotland and Cornwall, particularly at risk. Rail lines have already been blocked in Cornwall, with Great Western Railway urging passengers to use alternative modes of transport. The Environment Agency has reminded people not to enter floodwaters, as there can be hidden dangers, including sharp objects, sewage, uncovered manholes, and chemicals
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