Storm Chandra Live Updates: UK Battling Strong Winds and Heavy Rain
Travel Disruptions and Road Closures:
- The M48 Severn Bridge is closed, diverting traffic over the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
- The Humber Bridge in England is shut to high-sided vehicles due to strong winds.
- Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service report the A351 is closed between Norden Park and Ride and Corfe Castle due to flooding.
- Devon County Council urges residents to check routes as several key locations have blocked roads.
- Forecasters predict flooding and travel disruptions, emphasizing the need for route checks.
Rail Network Impact:
- South Western Railway (SWR) warns of potential cancellations, delays, or timetable revisions across its network.
- Flooded and blocked lines include those between Salisbury and Southampton Central, Eastleigh and Fareham, and at Sway.
- Great Western Railway (GWR) reports flooding between Par and Newquay in Cornwall, closing the line, as well as closures between Exeter St David's and Barnstaple and Okehampton.
- Services are also canceled between Castle Cary and Taunton due to flooding, with the line between Salisbury and Romsey also affected.
- Transport for Wales alerts that a tree blocks the railway near Llanbister Road, potentially canceling trains between Swansea and Shrewsbury in both directions.
Unusual Storm Sequence:
- In just over two weeks, the UK has experienced three named storms: Goretti, Ingrid, and now Chandra.
- Storms often cluster due to intense low-pressure areas formed by a powerful Atlantic jet stream.
- A similar storm cluster occurred last season with Bert, Conall, and Darragh hitting within a fortnight.
Weather Forecast:
- A Met Office amber rain warning is in effect for south-west England, predicting 30-50mm (1.2-2in) of rain widely and up to 80mm over hills.
- The rain falls on saturated ground, with parts of south-west England already exceeding January's average rainfall.
- Flooding from rivers and groundwater is likely.
- Rain will temporarily turn to snow over the Pennines and Scottish mountains, with the worst conditions at higher elevations.
- Major routes like the A57 Snake Pass, A66, A68, and M62 are at risk, so travelers should check travel conditions before heading out.
- Storm Chandra will bring gusts of around 60-70mph to the Isles of Scilly and parts of Northern Ireland, with an amber wind warning in force for Antrim and Down.
- Localized transport disruptions are possible due to these winds.
Amber and Yellow Warnings:
- Amber weather warnings are in place for parts of Northern Ireland and south-west England due to Storm Chandra's severe wind and rain.
- The M48 Severn Bridge is closed, and the Humber Bridge is shut to high-sided vehicles.
- The most severe amber warnings are for rain in south-west England, while an amber wind warning is active in the east of Northern Ireland until 21:00.
- Yellow warnings for rain stretch across southern England and Wales, with rain and snow warnings in northern England and Scotland, and separate wind warnings around coastal areas.
