Storm Ciaran bringing amber weather alerts to England and Wales

Much of the country is bracing itself for a fresh bout of wind and rain with Storm Ciaran bringing amber alerts on Thursday morning.

Amber warnings are in place for the entire south coast of England and parts of Pembrokeshire on Thursday when Storm Ciaran is due to hit, together with further yellow rain warnings.

The storm has already caused flooding in Northern Ireland, where a yellow rain warning from the Met Office is in place until 9am on Wednesday.

A similar notice has been issued for parts of southwest, central and eastern Scotland from 3am to 3pm and in southern parts of England and Wales from 6pm on Wednesday until the end of Thursday.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Suri said a cold front would bring bursts of heavy rain and coastal gusts of 60 to 70mph along the south coast on Wednesday.

He said: “Wind and rain warnings associated with Storm Ciaran are in force from Wednesday night onwards into Friday.

“As well as strong winds, this deep low pressure system will bring heavy rain to many parts of the UK.

“Much of southern England and south Wales, as well as parts of north Wales, northeast England, southeast Scotland and perhaps the east of Northern Ireland look to see the wettest conditions between Wednesday evening and Friday morning.”

He said 20 to 25mm of rain may fall in many places with 40 to 60mm possible over higher ground.

“Some parts of south Wales and southwest England may see 80mm of rain,” he said. “This rain will fall on already saturated ground, bringing the risk of flooding.”

Thursday’s amber warning is in place from 3am to 1pm in Cornwall, Devon and the extreme west coast of Pembrokeshire on Thursday, with the Met Office predicting Storm Ciaran will bring winds of 75 to 85mph with 65 to 75mph gusts inland.

Across the south coast, from Dorset eastwards, the amber warning runs from 6am to 8pm with winds expected to reach 70 to 80 mph with the potential for 85mph and large waves.

The warning says wind could disrupt travel, power lines and cause structural damage with flying debris providing a threat to life.

Elsewhere in southern England and southwest Wales, gusts could reach 50 to 60mph with 60 to 70mph on the coasts.

Yellow warnings for rain are in place for southern England and Wales, northeast Wales, northeast England stretching up to Glasgow and the southeast of Northern Ireland.

Kate Marks, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency said “significant flooding” is possible.

She said: “We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.”

The Environment Agency had issued 24 flood warnings for England by 3am on Wednesday morning with 108 flood alerts.

The weather is not showing much sign of a rapid improvement once Storm Ciaran does pass.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Steven Keates said: “Once Storm Ciaran has passed, the weather over the weekend continues to look unsettled for many with more showers and rain at times.

“Warnings will continue to be updated over the coming days, so it is important to stay up to date with the Met Office forecast and warnings in your area.”