By Lucy Caulkett-
Storm Bella will bring severe gales and heavy rain to the Uk on Boxing Day, the Met Office has warned.
The storm warning comes into place at 10pm tomorrow and is expected to last until 9am on December 27.
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Its arrival will bring winds of up to 70mph in exposed coastal locations and further downpours. It follows earlier news of snow in Yorkshire, marking the beginning of really cold weather in the Uk.
A yellow warning of strong winds predicted to strike the whole of England and Wales, as well as Scotland’s far south, has also been issued by the Met Office, and will be in force from 3pm on Boxing Day.
In addition to the strong winds, the Met Office said a period of heavy rain will affect western and southern areas on Boxing Day.
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Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wardle, said: “Conditions will turn very unsettled after Christmas day, with a large area of low pressure sweeping across the UK from Boxing Day.
“Very strong winds will impact much of England and Wales, with particularly strong gusts on south west facing coasts.
“Heavy rain will also move in from the north, with heavy downpours through the afternoon in Scotland and Northern Ireland moving south across England and Wales overnight.
“This will be a notable change from the calmer conditions over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so take extra care and stay up to date with the latest forecast.
The Met Office said: “Storm Bella will bring disruption to travel and utilities over parts of south and southeast England and south Wales.
“Very strong southwesterly winds are expected for parts of south and southeast England and south Wales on Sunday morning.
“Inland gusts of 50-60 mph are likely with a few spots likely to see 60-70 mph for a time.
“Hills and particularly coasts exposed to the southwesterly winds will see a few gusts of 70-80 mph.
“In addition to the strong winds, a period of heavy, squally rain is expected and may prove an additional hazard.”
The storm warning comes into place at 10pm tomorrow and will last until 9am on December 27.
Its arrival will bring winds of up to 70mph in exposed coastal locations and further downpours.
There was flooding around the country on Christmas Day, with residents living in parts of Bedfordshire urged to leave their homes.
Snow on the hills near Hexham, Northumberland, on Christmas Day (Owen Humphreys/PA)
Heightened
On Christmas Day, Superintendent Steve Ashdown, who is leading the response, said officers had visited just over 1,300 homes in the area the previous evening.
“The river is currently at heightened levels and we’re predicting a significant flooding event by 8pm this evening,” he said in a video on Twitter.
“If you received one of those notices last night, you are in one of those properties that are most at risk from this flood. We would encourage you to leave if it is safe for you to do so, as soon as you are able to do so.
Disruption
An amber wind warning, which warns travel could be disrupted, has been issued for parts of south Wales and across southern England on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a yellow warning of wind for the whole of England and Wales as well as the far south of Scotland has also been issued and will be in force from 3pm on Boxing Day.
It follows relatively calm and cold conditions across the UK on Friday, which saw early morning snowfall recorded in some areas – with the weather service declaring it a White Christmas.
Reports of snow came in from Leconfield in Humberside and Wattisham in Suffolk at 5am on Friday morning, while parts of Greater Manchester saw snow during the afternoon.
A family take advantage of the Christmas Day snow with a trip out sledging on the hills
In addition to the strong winds, the Met Office said a period of heavy rain will affect western and southern areas on Boxing Day.
A yellow warning for rain has been issued for parts of Scotland, Wales and much of north and south west England on Saturday, including areas where there has already been flooding from recent downpours.
Bedfordshire Police on Friday “strongly urged” residents living near the River Great Ouse in north Bedfordshire to seek alternative accommodation due to fears of flooding.
On Christmas Day, Superintendent Steve Ashdown, who is leading the response, said officers had visited just over 1,300 homes in the area the previous evening.
“The river is currently at heightened levels and we’re predicting a significant flooding event by 8pm this evening,” he said in a video on Twitter.
“If you received one of those notices last night, you are in one of those properties that are most at risk from this flood. We would encourage you to leave if it is safe for you to do so, as soon as you are able to do so.
“Appreciate the timing of this at Christmas Day is not great, but the risk to you and your family and wellbeing is significant.”
He asked residents able to leave their homes to do so in a “Covid-safe way” if possible, recommending they go to one single location and stay there until it is safe to return in the coming days.
Across England, a total of 85 flood warnings and 110 flood alerts, as well as the two severe flood warnings, remained in force at 4pm on Christmas Day as huge amounts of water flowed through river catchments.
Northamptonshire Police urged people to stay away from the Billing Aquadrome holiday park, after hundreds were evacuated on Christmas Eve due to high water levels on the River Nene.
Emergency Services
The force said water levels had reached 5ft in some places, with emergency services using boats to take residents in the worst-hit areas to safety.
Most of those evacuated were able to find overnight accommodation with friends and family, with a special exemption from Covid-19 restrictions, while about 100 people were transferred to a hotel.
Detective Superintendent Jamie Piscopo said: “Emergency services are working hard to ensure residents can return to the site as soon as possible, however it is not currently safe to do so.
“We’d urge them to stay away until such time it is safe to do.”
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