A danger to life warning has been issued as Storm Antoni hits parts of the UK, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
An amber weather warning for winds breaking 70 mph has been issued by the Met Office in areas of southwest Wales and southwest England between 11am and 7pm.
The warning level indicates flying debris is possible and could lead to injuries or danger to life – and it is in place for southwestern areas of both England and Wales until 7pm.
The first storm that has been serious enough to be named since February last year – Brits must prepare themselves for the heaviest battering in more than a rain as clouds sweep from west to east.
Falling trees, riptides and inadequate building structures are some of the dangers people should look out for on Saturday during the amber wind warning, the Met Office said.
Some roads and bridges are likely to close, the Met Office warning says, and ‘there is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage’.
People are in Brighton for the UK’s biggest pride event have been battered by the storm along the seafront
Further down the coast in Porthleven, Cornwall, rolling waves batters the coastal town
A woman’s umbrella is not working quite as hoped as she lugs her bags across Westminster Bridge in central London
The first storm to be named this season – heavy rain is expected to batter the nation as clouds sweep from west to east
Some roads and bridges are likely to close, and the Met Office have warned of power cuts and mobile phone outages
An amber weather warning for winds breaking 60mph has been issued by the Met Office in areas of southwest Wales and southwest England between 11am and 7pm
Meanwhile a yellow warning for ‘unseasonably windy weather’ is in place for southern parts of the UK until 8pm and a yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued until 10pm for south east England and East Anglia.
The Met Office warned of ‘injuries and danger to life’ from ‘flying debris’ and ‘large waves and beach material’ being thrown onto seafronts, coastal roads and homes.
There could be damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs – while those travelling by road, rail, air and ferry services could face disruption and cancellations.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said the storm, which is the first to be named by the Met Office this season, could see winds of up to 70mph on the coast and 60mph inland.
He said: ‘Storm Antoni is now tracking east into the Irish Sea and will continue to move east across England and Wales.
‘With it being the holiday season and it being a Saturday there will be plenty of local events going on, (Storm Antoni) wouldn’t necessarily bring the same level of impact if it was in the winter.
‘For August this is very unusual.
‘Effectively the trees are in full leaf so are more susceptible to strong winds.
‘Building structures, trees and temporary structures such as marquees may not well be too adequate.
The dramatic weather in Brighton has not dampened spirits as people brave the wind in dramatic costumes
Others grin in dressed-up umbrellas as they try to shelter their costumes for the grand parade
Ponchos are the order of the day as celebrants make sure the furious weather does not ruin their time
Two carry bravely carry their flags through the rain and wind to the parade as they get ready to march
And others make sure their weather-gear is on brand – with rainbow crocs and a glamorous umbrella
The march got underway despite marchers looking sodden – as attendees braved the soggy conditions to take part in the city’s Pride celebrations
‘Beach debris could be thrown from waves onto coastal roads, there’s a risk of dangerous tides, riptides and power cuts.
‘Most travel disruption will be from (fallen) trees and branches.’
In Brighton, crowds have braved the wild weather to celebrate the coastal city’s Pride event – the biggest of its kind in the UK.
With a line-up including Steps and Melanie C, dedicated attendants in elaborate outfits are pushing through the elements to celebrate the event.
The RAC’s Rod Dennis warned: ‘We expect Saturday to be the worst day on the roads of the summer so far, especially for anyone in the south-west of England – and that’s a lot of people as our research shows it’s the most popular part of the country for leisure trips by car this year.
‘Conditions will be atrocious with a wholly unpleasant mix of very strong winds and locally intense rainfall. The best advice is to slow down significantly to stay safe and avoid exposed moorland and coastal routes until the storm passes.
Some Brighton celebrants took no risks when they dressed for the weather – as one hides within their poncho
One man’s outfit was not built for the weather – as he battles to stop his rainbow wings taking flight in the wind
One man looks contented as his flag-cape flies out behind him in the coastal storm
One attendee – in a metalic rainbow cap – watches on as an open-top bus passes by the gathered crowds
Another Pride celebrant embraces the weather – striking a pose with their inside-out umbrella
Others battle wrestle with a giant pride banner to make sure it is not blown away into the sky
‘Drivers towing caravans and trailers need to be particularly careful in these conditions and those with boxes and bikes on the roof should double-check they’re secured properly.
‘Drivers should also watch out for fallen trees and be prepared for the disruption they cause.’
He added that the RAC estimates that around four million cars will be using the roads for leisure journeys across the whole weekend.
Yesterday, Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: ‘Storm Antoni will bring some potentially disruptive weather on Saturday as it moves from west to east.
‘Northern Ireland is likely to see some of the highest rainfall totals, with 40-60mm falling in some spots, but 20-30mm more widely.
‘Away from the warning area many will still see a very wet day, especially in north Wales and north England.
Crashing waves in Dorset show the full force of the stunning storms as they hit the British coast
Racegoers shelter from the rain as they arrive for day five of the Qatar Goodwood Festival
Others double up on ponchos and umbrellas as they try to protect their frocks
Crowds hide under umbrellas as they arrive in their finery to the glamorous event at Goodwood Racecourse
A woman finds safety inside her see-through umbrella as people battle with heavy rain in Reading
A woman grabs her coffee and braves the streets as she faces driving rain near Reading station
A man wheels his bike through Reading as he looks resigned to the grimy weather
‘Storm Antoni will also bring strong winds to a swathe of Wales, southwest England and southern coastal areas of England.
‘The strongest winds will affect parts southwest England and southwest Wales where exposed coasts and high ground could see gusts in excess of 60mph.
‘In these areas, gusts inland could reach 50-55mph for a time. These windy conditions will likely coincide with high tides which will present an additional challenge for coastal areas.
‘Busy travel networks at this time of year and the possibility of people having made plans to be outside have resulted in the system meeting our criteria for naming, with a strong chance of disruption for those within the warning areas.’
The weather has also forced organisers of outdoor events scheduled to take place this weekend to cancel their plans.
In Manchester fans take the chance to play a couple of overs in their ponchos as The Hundred match between Manchester Originals Women and London Spirit Women is delayed by rain
In Tynemouth, North Tyneside, the storm provided beach-weather for some as one brave person decided it was sunny enough for shorts
Others wrapped up to brave the rain and wind and headed down to the stormy sea
Waves can be seen lashing the beach but dedicated dog walkers took their pups out for a run in the fresh air
Eliot Walker, organiser of the annual Dorset jazz festival, Stompin’ on the Quomps, said he was ‘disappointed’ he had to postpone this year’s event due to Storm Antoni. The free festival in Christchurch Quay was forced to cancel its activities for the first time in its 30-year history.
Mr Walker, 44, said: ‘We’re really disappointed that the town can’t come together to enjoy a wonderful day listening to professional jazz and big bands by the side of the river on the picturesque quay.’
Around 10,000 people had been expected to attend on Saturday. The decision was driven by concerns for the safety of traders and spectators although it is hoped the festival can be rearranged.
It comes as the country hoped to turn a new leaf on Britain’s sixth-ever wettest July after the country was battered by downpours.
A succession of low pressure systems brought long periods of damp and windy weather to much of the country, making it feel at times more like autumn than summer – a sharp contrast to July 2022, which saw heatwaves and temperatures as high as 40C.
The UK had an average of 140.1mm rain last month, the sixth highest total for July since records began in 1836, according to provisional data.
Northern Ireland had an average of 185.4mm of rain last month, just above the previous record of 185.2mm set in July 1936. This figure could be revised once all rainfall data for July is collected and reviewed, the Met Office said.
It was provisionally the eighth wettest July on record in Scotland (an average of 155.1mm of rain), the 10th wettest in England (120.4mm) and the 11th wettest in Wales (176.7mm).
Some parts of England also set new rainfall records. Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside all saw their wettest July. Lancashire was the wettest county compared to average, with 234.6mm of rain falling in the month.
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