November 22nd 2024.
Today, as ships sail near Tynemouth pier lighthouse, the rough seas serve as a reminder of the impending storm that is set to hit the UK this weekend. Storm Bert, the second name on the Met Office's 2024/2025 storm list, is expected to bring 70mph winds, heavy rain, and potentially more snow in certain areas.
The Met Office has already issued yellow weather warnings for western and northern England, Wales, and Scotland, starting at 4am on Saturday and lasting until at least 9am on Sunday. In some parts of Scotland, the warnings have been upgraded to amber alerts, indicating more severe weather conditions.
This season's first storm, Ashley, caused chaos back in October and now Storm Bert is following in its wake. The Met Office's storm list, which was first launched in 2015, typically runs from September to August of the following year, coinciding with the start of autumn. Other names on this year's list, such as James, Lewis, and Mavis, were inspired by the Met Office's 170-year history and notable individuals in the field of meteorology.
For example, James is named after Group Captain James Stagg, who played a crucial role in advising General Dwight Eisenhower on the weather forecast for the D-Day landings. Lewis is named after Lewis Fry Richardson, a scientist who developed a theory for using mathematical and physical principles to make weather forecasts using computers. Mavis, on the other hand, is in honor of Mavis Hinds, who worked on some of the earliest Met Office computers.
Last year, the UK experienced a record-breaking twelve named storms, with Storm Lilian being the first to reach the letter L. However, it is unlikely that we will see a Storm Wren this year unless there are an unusually high number of storms.
The list of storm names is a collaborative effort between the UK Met Office, the Irish Met Eireann, and the Dutch weather service KNMI. As the Met Office celebrates its 170th birthday this year, Will Lang, who leads severe weather responses, expressed his excitement for being able to honor those who have made significant contributions to the field of weather and climate science.
While Storm Bert is expected to bring hazardous weather conditions, the Met Office's Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Holley, assures that there will also be a shift to milder air and a gradual decrease in wintry hazards as the weekend progresses. However, he warns of heavy snowfall in parts of northern England and Scotland on Saturday, especially in higher elevations. In addition, heavy rain is also expected throughout the weekend in southern and western parts of the UK, with potential impacts on travel and flooding.
The Met Office has issued warnings for 50-75 mm of rainfall in the affected areas, with the possibility of over 100 mm in some parts of Wales and southwest England. The combination of these weather conditions, along with strong winds and rapid melting of snow, could result in significant disruptions and potential flooding. It is important for people to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe during this storm. This article was originally published on August 29, 2024.
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