Storm Jorge brings 12 inches of snow and 70mph wind in fourth weekend of misery
Storm Jorge is set to lash the UK with rain and wind as the country is hit by a storm for the fourth weekend in a row.
Jorge will bring winds of up to 60mph and up to 12 inches of snow to flood-hit communities – after forecasters issued nine yellow weather warnings for rain, wind and snow for Saturday.
The warnings span across the country and stretch from Cornwall to the north of Scotland.
A total of 70 flood warnings were in place across England and Wales on Friday night, mostly in the south west and along the English-Welsh border, and in Yorkshire.
There were also 197 less serious flood alerts.
Coronavirus: Dad coughs and splutters in TV interview after leaving quarantine
Memories of Princess Margaret 'influenced Queen during Meghan and Harry crisis'
Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: "From Saturday Storm Jorge will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK, with potentially heavy snowfall being a hazard for parts of Scotland.
"Areas above 400 metres could see accumulations of 20-30cm of snow, with lower areas – roughly above 250 metres – seeing accumulations of up to 10cm.
"Storm Jorge is not expected to bring wind gusts as strong as Storms Ciara or Dennis, but it will still bring gusts of 60 to 70mph in some exposed locations during the warning period, which ends at midday on Sunday.
"But it's worth saying that parts of the south and east of the UK, once the rain clears early on Saturday, should often be bright, windy and cold over the weekend."
And in East Yorkshire, residents were being evacuated from the villages of West Cowick and Lidgate after the River Aire broke its banks.
Four tonnes of sandbags were being laid overnight in East Cowick to help divert water, while 60 properties were at risk of flooding in nearby Lidgate, the East Riding of Yorkshire council said in a statement.
The council later said water from the washland around Snaith was being pumped into the River Don, rain had forced closures on the A164 and Pontefact Road was being sandbagged as a precaution.
But the worst of the wet weather will pass as lunchtime comes around.
Persistent snow is expected across higher ground in Scotland and people have been warned to expect travel disruption on road, bus and rail routes.
The Met Office warnings persist into Sunday, with most of the country braced for more strong winds, and Scotland for yet more snow.
However, there may be some let-up as the new week begins, with the rain and wind warnings abating, leaving only the wintry showers north of the border.
In the West Midlands, flood defences have been repaired in an attempt to prevent a repeat of this week's flooding.
Dave Throup, Environment Agency (EA) manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, praised the "herculean efforts" of teams in Ironbridge and Bewdley, along the River Severn.
The Environment Agency has also warned drivers to be careful when travelling over the weekend, and advised not to drive through deep water, as "just one eggcup" of water is enough to ruin an engine.
England has received more than 200% of its average February rainfall, according to the Environment Agency, with some areas experiencing a month's worth of rain in 24 hours.
Storm Jorge is the fifth storm to hit the UK since December 6 last year and the third in February.
UK forecast for the next five days
Today
Heavy rain clearing eastern parts, then a mixture of sunshine and wintry showers. A spell of more persistent rain, with snow on hills, affecting Northern Ireland, northern England and parts of Scotland, accompanied by gales or severe gales. Feeling cold.
Tonight
Further rain, hill snow and severe gales affecting some central and northern parts. Clear spells and wintry showers in the south.
Sunday
Spells of rain, with snow on hills, across parts of Scotland. Sunny spells and showers elsewhere, some wintry, with more persistent rain perhaps affecting the far southeast. Winds slowly easing.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday
Sunny spells and showers, wintry at times. Rather cold, with overnight frosts. Chance of further wet and windy weather in the south by midweek.
Source: Read Full Article