October 21st 2024.
The latest news on the weather front is that more than 50,000 people were left without power after Storm Ashley made its way across Ireland and the UK yesterday. It was quite the entrance for the first named storm of the season, bringing strong winds and heavy downpours that caused rivers to overflow and waves to crash onto coastal promenades.
The gusts reached speeds of up to 82mph, adding to the already challenging conditions in many areas that were dealing with flooding. In fact, some places experienced their wettest month on record. The fastest wind speed was recorded in Aberdaron, Scotland, but it wasn't the only place affected. This morning, there were still over 100 flood warnings in place throughout the UK, although the yellow weather warning for wind has now been lifted. The areas most at risk were the south Cornwall coast and large parts of the River Severn. In Scotland, the Scottish Environment Flood Agency issued 47 flood warnings, with eight more coming from Natural Resources Wales.
The wind was so strong that it forced the closure of major roads in the north of England, including the A66 between County Durham and the M6 at Cumbria. Thankfully, it has since reopened. The storm also left its mark on those who were unable to seek shelter indoors. Pictures and videos captured the devastation caused by the storm, including fallen trees and branches on the Mallaig and Oban branches of the West Highland Line, as well as huge waves battering the Dorset coast at West Bay.
In the seaside town of Aberystwyth, a man was soaked by the waves despite trying to stay back from the shore. Even tourists on a cruise ship, the MV Artania, were affected by the storm when they visited West Bay in Dorset. Flooding was also a major issue, with the River Severn bursting its banks in Worcester and sandbags being used as flood defense in a shop doorway in Galway city center.
Despite the dangerous conditions, some people were still out and about, like the person spotted on the beach in Salthill, Galway. And in Weymouth, Dorset, cars were seen driving through the flood water beneath the town bridge next to the harbor. In Kent, a lorry jackknifed on the A249, causing major traffic disruptions.
The storm also had a major impact on travel. Power outages were widespread in Ireland, with power cables being torn down by the strong winds. The areas most affected were Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Clare, Kerry, North Cork, and North Dublin. Several sporting events had to be postponed, including Gaelic Athletic Association finals and the Great South Run in Portsmouth, which had 23,000 runners registered.
The hazardous conditions also led to the cancellation of dozens of flights at airports in Dublin and Belfast. Those who were planning to travel by sea were also affected, as P&O Ferries canceled their sailings between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland's southwest.
As the storm moved north east, the winds are expected to ease today, although there may still be scattered showers and sunny spells throughout the day. However, the south east may experience more frequent showers. The weather is expected to remain unsettled later in the week, with a possibility of heavy rain and strong winds once again.
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