Winter storm bringing strong winds and gusts across Britain

Britain faced high wind warnings, including a tornado watch, as a winter storm swept across the country on Sunday, bringing a potential “danger to life” in some areas, authorities said.

The Meteorological Office, Britain's national weather service, has issued a rarely used warning about Storm Isha. Wind gusts of between 90 and 120 kilometers per hour and possibly 150 kilometers per hour were forecast for Sunday afternoon and Monday across Britain, including at Capel Curig in Wales and Killowen in Ireland. the weather bureau said.

“It's quite unusual in that it has a major impact on most of Britain,” said Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the weather service, also known as the Met Office.

Several parts of Britain had recorded winds of more than 60 miles per hour on Sunday and strong winds were expected to continue into the night, he said.

“In part, this system has been strengthened by the cold plunge across eastern North America,” Mr Madge said, adding that the weather pattern has “created a very strong jet, aiding and pushing areas of low pressure, such as Storm Isha , across the North Atlantic.”

Strong winds were also expected on Tuesday evening and Wednesday, which could create conditions for possible travel disruptions.

“There may be some damage to buildings, such as roof tiles being blown off roofs,” the weather bureau said Sunday, adding that power outages and cell phone interruptions could result from the conditions.

“Injuries and danger to life can result from large waves and beach material being thrown onto the sea, coastal roads and properties,” the Met Office said.

The yellow weather warning for Isha is used when people are at risk of certain weather conditions due to their location or activity, and advises the public to “take preventive measures,” according to the meteorological agency's website.

With Éireann, the Irish Meteorological Service, also issued orange wind warnings for Sunday and Monday, with a status red storm warning for coastal areas in the north of the country.

The agency said the storm brought “very strong” and “gusty southwesterly winds across the country with strong gales” as well as high waves along the coasts.

The service also said that “a status red severe weather warning is rarely issued, but when it is, people in the areas expected to be affected should take action to protect themselves and/or their property.”

The Tornado and Storm Research Organization, which maps severe weather, has issued a tornado watch in Ireland and parts of northern Britain as the storm passed through the region on Sunday.

The stormy weather could also cause some roads and bridges to close, affecting road, rail, air and ferry services, authorities said.

Due to the weather conditions, Network Rail Scotland has suspended the service on Sunday and the lines would remain closed on Monday.

“Our weather specialists confirm that the forecast has deteriorated, with a high risk of damage to the Scottish railway line,” the service said Sunday. “This decision has been made to keep passengers and our people safe.”

More than 5,600 homes in Great Britain and Wales were without power on Sunday evening. according to the National Grid.

The Met Office urged residents to check outside their homes for loose items such as containers, plant pots and garden furniture and bring them inside or put them in their place.

Although tornadoes are not uncommon in Britain (around 30 are reported each year), they often land in sparsely populated areas or are short-lived, causing little to no damage.

Britain has had exceptional winter weather this season. The torrential rain that swept across parts of England this month prompted a wave of weather warnings and travel disruptions, according to forecasters and officials. Hundreds of flood warnings were also issued for various communities and rivers.