The UK is bracing for “dangerous” conditions as the tail end of Hurricane Ernesto strikes the UK, bringing strong winds and torrential rain. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings across Scotland, Wales, and England, urging residents to prepare for potential disruptions.
Hurricane Ernesto, which tore across the western Atlantic and slammed into Bermuda, has now reached the UK. While the storm has weakened, its remnants are still expected to cause significant impacts across parts of the country.
With its tail already lashing the Irish coast, the Met Office has issued a series of yellow weather warnings, focusing on western Scotland, northern England, and north Wales. The warnings cover two days, beginning on Wednesday with heavy rain in Scotland, followed by strong winds on Thursday.
Simulated wind maps indicate that the most intense winds will stay north of the UK, with the eye of the storm tracking toward Iceland and the North Atlantic. Nevertheless, western parts of the UK are still at risk of severe weather, including gusts of up to 60mph and heavy downpours.
Scotland is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with as much as 150mm of rainfall—equivalent to a month’s worth—in just 24 hours. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued 12 flood warnings and 14 flood alerts across the region in response to the expected deluge.
Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly warned that “a band of rain will move in from the west on Wednesday morning and will become slow-moving with heavy bursts of rain at times, especially over high ground in Scotland.” He added that gusty winds of up to 60mph could create dangerous coastal conditions, particularly near the Irish Sea and western Scotland, where spring tides may exacerbate the situation.
As the storm subsides later in the week, the UK’s overall weather outlook is expected to improve. However, the Met Office predicts that conditions will remain “unsettled” in the coming days, with further rain and wind in northern and western parts of the country, while southern and eastern areas may see drier and more settled weather.
