Storm Gerrit to bring strong winds, heavy rain and snow to UK
Featured image: Satellite image of Storm Gerrit at 07:45 UTC on December 27, 2023. Credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
Storm Gerrit, as named by the UK Met Office, is set to deliver strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snow across the UK on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, with several weather warnings in force.
Gerrit will bring strong winds and heavy rain to many parts of the UK on Wednesday, with wintry hazards also likely, especially across northern Scotland.
Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders detailed the expected conditions, stating that Gerrit will bring significant impacts to much of the UK as it approaches the western regions. Southern coastal areas of England are expected to experience the strongest gusts, with winds possibly peaking around 113 km/h (70 mph) on exposed coastlines and averaging 80 – 97 km/h (50 – 60 mph) within the designated warning areas.
Rainfall poses an additional risk, with active weather fronts contributing to a wet and challenging day across many parts of the country.
Snowfall is anticipated to compound the hazardous conditions, particularly affecting northern areas. Brief snowfall is expected across upland routes of the Pennines and southern Scotland, with more persistent and heavier snow predicted north of the Central Lowlands. In these higher regions, accumulations of 10 – 20 cm (4 – 8 inches) may disrupt travel, especially when coupled with very strong winds. At lower levels, the combination of heavy rain and strong winds is likely to dominate the weather landscape.
The Met Office’s warnings underscore the potential for widespread transport disruptions, power outages, and flooding, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about the latest conditions.
As Storm Gerrit moves northeast late Wednesday and into Thursday, December 28, the unsettled weather is expected to persist, with further spells of strong winds, rain, and occasional upland snow later in the week.
References:
1 Storm Gerrit named – UK Met Office – December 26, 2023
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