Storm Gareth has already started to batter Britain with gale-force winds felling trees in London and heavy rain closing part of a motorway in the north.
The worst of 2019’s third storm is not scheduled to hit mainland Britain until later on Tuesday, but disruption was already being felt up and down the country.
A slip road on the M6 in Cumbria had to be closed due to flash flooding caused by the heavy rain, and a number of trees were felled in the gusts in the capital, with some branches piercing cars and smashing windscreens.
Various yellow weather warnings for Storm Gareth are in place from Tuesday through to Friday with winds of up to 80mph forecast. More than a fortnight’s worth of rain is also expected to fall in less than a day in some parts of the north west.
From 3pm on Tuesday, Northern Ireland will be subject to the first warning for wind, stretching all the way through to midday on Wednesday.
All of England and Wales south of York will bear the brunt of the storm from 9pm on Tuesday through to 3pm on Wednesday.
After a weekend of strong winds which was enough to fell trees and partly-demolish buildings, there will be no let up as more strong winds will batter the country for almost two days.
On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, there is a separate yellow weather warning for rain in the north west of England, which threatens to flood homes and businesses in the area.
Up to 60mm is expected to fall in less than a day in parts of Cumbria. The average monthly rainfall for the UK in March is 95mm.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, said: “The strong north-westerly winds will also affect southwest Scotland late on Tuesday, spreading across much of England and Wales through Wednesday. Gusts of 50-55 mph are likely inland and up to 65 mph along western coasts. Winds will gradually ease during the afternoon.”
