The Met Office has officially named the impending low-pressure system “Storm Antoni,” warning of potent winds and heavy rainfall scheduled for Saturday. Weather alerts are already in place due to the predicted adverse conditions.
Northern Ireland will be the initial area to experience the impact of Storm Antoni, with rain warnings applicable from early Saturday morning. Additionally, wind advisories have been announced for southern and western Wales, the southwest and south coast of England.
Steve Willington, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, stated, “Storm Antoni will usher in potentially disruptive weather this Saturday, moving from west to east. Northern Ireland is poised to witness the highest rainfall, with some areas expecting 40-60mm and 20-30mm more commonly. Besides the areas under warning, the day is anticipated to be extremely wet, particularly in north Wales and north England.”
Furthermore, Storm Antoni is predicted to bring potent winds to a substantial part of Wales, the southwest and south of England. The fiercest winds are anticipated to affect parts of southwest England and Wales, where gusts might surpass 60mph on exposed coasts and high ground. There is a high likelihood of these windy conditions coinciding with high tides, presenting an added challenge for coastal regions.
The potential disruption to the transportation network and the probability of power cuts have led to the storm being officially named.
The RAC’s Rod Dennis warned, “Saturday will likely be the summer’s most chaotic day on the roads, particularly in the southwest of England. The weather conditions will be harsh, combining strong winds and intense rainfall. The safest approach is to reduce speed and avoid coastal and moorland routes until the storm passes. Drivers hauling caravans and trailers or carrying roof-mounted boxes or bikes should exercise extreme caution.”
Malcolm Bell, Executive Chair of Visit Cornwall, has urged campers to consult with campsite operators for advice on weathering the unseasonal gale-force winds.
Storm Antoni is the first storm named by the Met Office for this storm season, following the adoption of the names Otto and Noa for previous storms named by international partners earlier this year.
