Image credit: metoffice.gov.uk
Airports and rail travellers have been put on alert as Storm Barney is set to strike the UK with severe gale force winds later today.
Winds gusting up to 75 mph are forecast to hit areas including Cardiff, Plymouth and Bristol tonight.
Winds at this speed can down trees, cause power outages and result in minor to moderate coastal flooding, especially at high tide.
Winds will be weaker in the Greater London area but could still gust in excess of 50 mph at times.
“Flight delays are possible at the height of the storm and could affect those flying out of London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports,” forecaster AccuWeather warned.
South West Trains said: “The risk of falling trees as well as damage to buildings and equipment is high.
“High winds and heavy rainfall present risks to the railway from localised flooding, fallen trees and debris on the tracks and lead to poor rail conditions which may cause delays and alterations to services.”
The Met Office issued a yellow warning of wind for much of Wales, the Midlands and southern England.
“Be aware of the risk disruption and that gusts of this strength could bring down trees and lead to some damage to weakened structures.”
Barney will also cause heavy rain in Northern Ireland into Wales and northwest England.
The rainy spell follows flooding from ex-Hurricane Kate over the weekend.
“Additional rain by Barney will make flooding problems worse in the regions that were worst-hit over the weekend,” AccuWeather meteorologist, Tyler Roys, said.
The Environment Agency has issued a yellow low-risk flood warning for Wales and the North East and North West of England on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Barney will depart the U.K. on Tuesday night, but unsettled weather will continue in the days that follow.
Meteorologist, Eric Leister, added: “Barney will be a fast-moving storm, bringing locally strong winds to southern Ireland and the southern UK beginning midday Tuesday and continuing into Tuesday night.
“Right on the heels of Barney, the next storm will bring another round of gusty winds and rainfall to similar areas on Wednesday.