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Southern Britain hit by Storm “Imogen”

southern-britain-hit-by-storm-imogen

Storm "Imogen" hit southern Britain with heavy rainfall and strong winds on February 8, 2016. Thousands of households reported power loss across the affected areas, and major traffic disruptions and delays are in place.

The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for Wales, southwest England, London and southeast England. Forecasters have warned about large waves and possible flooding in the coastal region. 

The intense storm has marked "the most widespread period of severe gales in southern Britain since the winter of 2013-14", according to Peter Sloss, the BBC Weather forecaster.

YouTube video

Video credit: Majkl Ward via YouTube

Wind gusts between 112.6 and 128.7 km/h (70 and 80 mph) have been recorded across the affected area. 125.5 km/h (78 mph) was measured in the Isles of Scilly, and 119 km/h (74 mph) was reported in Mumbles, near Swansea.

The highest wind gust so far, of 154.5 km/h (96 mph) was recorded in Needles Old Battery.

YouTube video

Video credit: Met Office

According to the forecast the sea state could reach the highest level on the World Meteorological Scale with waves rising over 14 m (46 feet). So far, the waves of 13.48 m (44.2 feet) have been observed off the coast of the Isles of Scilly, Met Office reported.

Over 5 000 homes have suffered electricity loss in southwest England, south and mid-Wales and the Midlands. Rail traffic is disrupted, numerous ferries are cancelled, and drivers are warned to remain alert, particularly on the M4 and M5 motorways.

Gatwick train services have been suspended, and the officials have warned the passengers their flights may be delayed. The fallen tree has caused cancellation of all the train lines to and from Cornwall while another fallen tree was reported to crush a car in Exeter.

Featured image: Storm "Imogen" lashing the UK coast, February 8, 2016. Image credit: Majkl Ward

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3 Comments

  1. PLEASE ! …. “2013-14 winter season in Europe most energetic since 1948”, please read article of the same name and on this site – The Weather is far from normal and, are very likely to get even worse ! – I have done the research here and elsewhere – have you ?

  2. “the most widespread period of severe gales in southern Britain since the winter of 2013-14”,

    So just the past two years then.
    Hardly the Storm of the Century.

    1. PLEASE ! …. “2013-14 winter season in Europe most energetic since 1948”, please read article of the same name on this site – The Weather is far from normal and, this very likely to get even worse ! – I have done the research here and elsewhere – have you ?

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