Storm Debi, the fourth named storm of the season, is heading towards the UK and Ireland, prompting the Met Office to issue yellow weather warnings for both regions. The storm is expected to bring up to two inches of rain and winds reaching 75mph.
After causing devastation with floods from previous storms Babet and Ciaran, Storm Debi is forecast to hit northern England and parts of Wales on Monday morning, having first swept across Ireland. The Met Office has predicted gale-force winds and heavy rains, with potential gusts of up to 80mph in some areas.
A yellow warning for wind and rain will be in effect from 4 am until 6 pm on Monday, covering areas such as Bangor and St Davids in Wales, and Manchester, Sheffield, and Liverpool in England. The warning indicates a potential danger to life from flying debris.
Aberdeenshire in Scotland will also be under a yellow warning for rain later in the day, from 10 am until 9 pm.
Jason Kelly, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, advised, “The strongest winds are expected to affect parts of the Republic of Ireland early on Monday… We are still expecting some significant impacts and a wind warning has been issued.”
Simon Partridge, a spokesman for the Met Office, added, “For parts of north-west Wales and England, there is a possibility of 70 to 80mph winds. It will be a wet and blustery day for all.”
In Ireland, Met Eireann has issued a status yellow wind and rain warning for the entire country on Monday, with a more severe warning for the majority of the population due to the risk of ‘severe and damaging gusts’ from Sunday night.
The Met Office has warned of injuries and danger to life from flying debris and fast-flowing floodwater. Power cuts and disruptions to travel services are also possible.
The Met Office’s statement concluded, “Storm Debi is expected to develop and move across Ireland and northern England on Monday… There is a chance of 60-65 mph gusts developing inland and 70-80 mph around coasts.”
Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed about weather updates and to prepare for possible disruptions.
