Storm Callum set to batter Northern Ireland with '70-80mph gusts' this week
Batten down the hatches again... 💨🌀🍂🍃
Last updated 9th Oct 2018
Hold on to your hats, it's about to feel very autumnal.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for blustery conditions to end the week on Friday.
According to forecasters; "Gusts 50 to 60 mph are likely in some places, with potential for gusts of 70 to 80 mph around exposed coasts and hills, with large waves an additional hazard. There is a small chance of gusts over 80 mph in the Western Isles during the afternoon and evening. The strongest winds are expected across Northern Ireland during the morning".
The north and west are expected to bear the brunt of the strongest winds.
Friday's 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 affect from 05:00 Friday lasting through until 21:00.
If officially named by Met Office and Met Eireann, Friday's storm will be the third of the season and be named Storm Callum.
Last month Storm Ali wreaked havoc across Northern Ireland. Fallen trees left thousands of homes without power and lead to school closures and one fatality.
READ MORE: Man killed by fallen tree during Storm Ali in Co Armagh
NORTHERN IRELAND FIVE DAY FORECAST
Tuesday - Cloudy with gusty winds. Maximum temperature 16°C.
Wednesday - Plenty of sunshine, feeling warm. Maximum temperature 20°C.
Thursday - Light rain in the morning, showers continuing in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 15°C.
Friday - Overcast with gale force winds, cloudy in the morning. Damaging gusts possible. (MET OFFICE YELLOW WARNING IN FORCE) Maximum temperature 16°C.
Saturday - Windy with periods of rain, heavy in places. Maximum temperature 15°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.