Met Office issues yellow wind warning for '70-80 mph gusts' on Friday
Batten down the hatches... 💨🌀🍂🍃
Last updated 4th Dec 2018
Hold on to your hats, it's about to feel very autumnal.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for blustery conditions as a deep area of low pressure is expected hit disrupting travel across Northern Ireland this week.
Winds could be strong enough to generate the fourth named storm of the season – Deirdre
According to forecasters; "Gusts 60 to 70 mph are likely in some places on Friday with potential for gusts of 80 mph around exposed coasts and hills, with large waves an additional hazard. The strongest winds are expected during mid-afternoon".
The north and west are expected to bear the brunt of the strongest winds.
The adverse weather could impact travel plans during the morning commute.
"Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. Some roads and bridges may close."
"With trees still in full leaf, there are likely to be branches and trees down - and some structural damage is possible. Power cuts may occur"
"Driving will be dangerous at times, especially when combined with heavy downpours."
The warning comes into effect from 03:00 Friday lasting through until 23:59.
In September Storm Ali wreaked havoc across Northern Ireland. Fallen trees left thousands of homes without power and lead to school closures and one fatality.
NORTHERN IRELAND FOUR DAY FORECAST
Tuesday - Frosty start, staying mainly dry and feeling colder than of late. Maximum temperature 6°C.
Wednesday - Rain early... then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 10°C.
Thursday - Mainly overcast with showers through the day. Maximum temperature 12°C.
Friday - Partly cloudy with severe gales. Maximum temperature 9°C.
STORM NAMES FOR THE 2018/2019 SEASON
Storms are named by the Met Office or, in Ireland, Met Eireann, in order to raise public awareness of approaching bad weather.
In September, the Met Office and Met Éireann unvealed a list of the names of this seasons storms.
First introduced in 2015, this is the fourth year they have jointly run the ‘Name our Storms’ scheme, aimed at raising awareness of severe weather before it hits.
The first storm was ‘male’ and named Ali, while the second storm will be ‘female’ and named Bronagh, following the alternating male/female pattern established by the US National Hurricane Center in the 1970s.