Following Storm Éowyn and Storm Herminia, the latter named by meteorologists in Spain, a fresh band of low pressure is expected today – and with it will come rain and huge winds
Monster gales will batter coastal areas throughout the day – due to the remnants of yet another storm.
Meteorologists in Portugal coined today’s bout of rain and wind Storm Ivo – and after it wreaks havoc across the European nation this morning, the band of low pressure will barrel north.
Southern England will again bear the brunt of the weather, which will be particularly wet across East Sussex, West Sussex and Kent this afternoon and into this evening. Wind speeds will threaten to hit 50mph anywhere along the south coast, though Devon looks most vulnerable throughout evening rush hour.
Yet, the Met Office have reassured Brits the storm hasn’t been named in Britain because its effects won’t be as significant as those of Storm Éowyn, which killed two people across the UK and Ireland last week. Schools were closed and people were encouraged not to drive when Éowyn struck.
The Met Office website does, though, state: “Cloud thickening across the very far south, with some outbreaks of rain, possibly heavy, affecting the far south coast.”
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “It is technically Storm Ivo, albeit not causing much in the way of disruption for the UK… We are going to see some heavy rain, pushing across southern parts into tomorrow (Wednesday). There has always been a bit of uncertainty as to exactly how far north this rain is going to get, but I think we’re getting a bit more confident in the idea that we’re going to see some heavy rain pushing initially across parts of Southwest England and then Southeast England.
“It’s really just southern most counties just about staying to the south of London, but it could push a little bit further north as we go through Wednesday and so a wet picture there.”
The rain will linger on Wednesday night, and will be slow to move away from Kent and, in particular, East Sussex. The Environment Agency is so concerned about the rain it has 25 flood warnings in place, including Fittleworth on the Western River Rother in West Sussex and the River Loddon and River Blackwater at Swallowfield in Berkshire, which flows into the River Thames.
More than 100 people were evacuated from their homes due to flooding in Somerset this week. A major incident was declared by Somerset Council, which worked with police and paramedics to get families to safety.