Storm Benjamin is set to batter the UK tomorrow with downpours and winds of up to 75mph – three yellow weather warnings have already been issued for areas most at risk.
On Thursday, the wet and windy conditions may cause travel disruption, flooding, power cuts and damage to buildings in the alert areas, according to theMet Office.
A yellow weather warning forraincovers most of southernEngland, the east Midlands, parts ofWalesand Yorkshire and is in place all of Thursday until 9 pm, the forecaster said.
Those within the affected regions of Storm Benjamin have been warned by theweatherservice to expect heavy rainfall from Wednesday evening, with up to 50mm in some areas by early Thursday morning.
The downpours may cause disruption to public transport, difficult driving conditions because of spray and road flooding as well as the flooding of some homes and businesses, the forecaster said.
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Where are weather warnings in place for the UK?
For the majority of the yellow alert area, gusts of up to 55mph are expected but they could reach 65mph near the coastline, the Met Office said.
Strong winds may lead to power cuts, transport disruption and damage to buildings. There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life caused by large waves and beach material being thrown onto seafronts and coastal roads, the forecaster warned.
In addition to the warning covering most of southern England and Wales, a separate warning for wind on Thursday is in place from 9am until midnight, covering the east of England up to Scarborough, where gusts of up to 75mph may develop.
Another yellow alert for wind on Thursday covers south west England and parts of Wales, includingSomerset, Devon, Cornwall, Swansea and Pembrokeshire.
Gusts of up to 45mph are expected widely within this area, while winds of up to 60mph could develop on exposed coasts and headlands, according to the forecaster.
What is the weather forecast for the weekend?
Luckily the worst of the weather will pass by Friday with clearer skies expected and cooler temperatures seen across the UK.
The temperatures will likely feel even cooler than normal thanks to the rain.
Who named Storm Benjamin?
Normally, storms which hit the UK are named by the Met Office but that isn’t the case this time.
France’s meteorological institution,Météo France, named the gale Storm Benjamin this morning.
That’s because most of the storm will bring 80mph gusts in coastal areas of France, hitting it much worse than in the UK.
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