Met Office names Storm Franklin and issues new weather warnings

Gusts of up to 75mph are set to hit and could hamper the clean-up after Storm Eunice

Author: Emma HartPublished 20th Feb 2022

Another named storm is sweeping towards the UK, bringing with it gales of up to 75mph.

The Met Office has named Storm Franklin and issued a two-day weather warning for strong winds.

There is a second yellow warning for rain in the North West, and an amber warning for wind in Northern Ireland from midnight tonight.

The yellow wind alert is in force until 1pm on Monday 21st February, while the rain warning ends at 6pm tonight.

Forecasters say the gusts could damage buildings, bring down trees and power cables and cause more travel disruption.

Large waves are also expected on the coast, which could cause flying debris with a danger to life.

The Met Office says the latest storm could also hamper the clean-up after Storm Eunice.

She battered the UK on Friday, with many homes still without power.

What can we expect from Storm Franklin?

The Met Office says periods of very strong winds are expected on Sunday and Monday, with possible disruption. We can expect:

Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen, along with trees/branches being brought down

Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible

Some roads and bridges may close

Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage

Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties

The forecast states: "Winds are likely to strengthen across England and Wales on Sunday, as an increasingly squally band of rain moves southeastwards.

"Gusts of 55-60mph are expected widely around south and west facing coasts, but possibly also briefly inland.

"There is a chance that a few exposed places could see gusts near 70mph.

"Strong gusts associated with blustery wintry showers will follow from the north.

"A swathe of very strong winds will reach Northern Ireland later Sunday evening in association with Storm Franklin.

"These very strong winds will spread to many other western, central and southern areas of the UK overnight and early Monday, with gusts widely 50-60mph, whilst west facing coastal districts will see gusts of 65-75mph and perhaps 80mph briefly near north coast of Northern Ireland.

"In the south these strong winds may hamper, or slow, ongoing recovery efforts in the wake of Storm Eunice.

"Winds will ease steadily from the northwest during the remainder of Monday".

The latest warnings and forecast for the UK can be found on the Met Office website.

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