Met Office - Batten down the hatches

by Met Office on 9 Mar 2008 The Met Office continues to expect an intense low pressure system to move east across the UK during Monday, bringing severe gales and potentially damaging gusts across some areas, more particularly the west and south of England and Wales.

Southerly winds are expected to strengthen during the early hours of Monday to give severe gales for a time, coinciding with the morning rush hour in some areas.

An additional swathe of severe westerly gales will follow through the morning and afternoon, principally affecting southwest England and the south coast of England. Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely with the possibility of 80 mph gusts on exposed coasts and hills.

Disruption to transport and power supplies is possible and there may be damage to buildings and trees. In addition high waves and flooding may affect coastal areas in the south. This warning is likely to be superseded by FLASH messages.

Issued at: 11:10 Sun 9 March 2008

The Met Office website has information and advice on actions to take for a Severe Gale warning - follow the links for this information and to access Flash warnings:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/advice/storm.html

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_warnings.html