The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for Storm Darragh, predicting potentially life-threatening winds of up to 90 miles per hour (145 km per hour).
Meteorologists issued this severe alert from 3:00 AM to 11:00 AM GMT on Saturday. The red warning indicates significant disruption, including damage to buildings and homes as well as power outages affecting millions.
Storm Darragh is anticipated to bring not only damaging winds but also heavy rainfall. Over 130 flood warnings have been activated across the UK, with areas already vulnerable from previous storms facing additional risks.
The Met Office has cautioned that gusts could lead to roofs being blown off and power lines being brought down, posing a serious risk to life.
Government officials have urged approximately three million residents in the affected areas to stay indoors and prepare for the worst. The public has been advised to secure loose items outside and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.
The alert covers western and southern Wales as well as the coastline of the Bristol Channel. Yellow and amber warnings for wind are forecasted with gusts between 60-80 mph in these areas.
Additionally, some regions in Scotland may experience snow, further complicating conditions on the roads.
A spokesperson said, “This will be the largest-ever use of the (emergency alert) system outside a test scenario.” They also said the sound and vibration would last for about 10 seconds, even if people’s phones were on silent.
Climate scientists say that storms are becoming more powerful as the world heats up due to climate change from fossil fuels. Warmer ocean surfaces release more water vapor, which provides additional energy for storms, strengthening winds.
Meteorologists have warned that conditions could lead to “significant disruption” in transportation networks. It may lead to potential delays and cancellations for ferry services across the Irish Sea.
National Highways has issued a severe weather alert for Saturday, advising drivers to exercise extreme caution due to hazardous conditions.
The Met Office has emphasized that red weather warnings are issued infrequently and reserved for situations where severe weather poses a direct threat to life.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and take care of all safety advisors as storm Darragh makes its impact felt across the UK this weekend.