'Red Alert' Storm To Bring 100 mph Winds

[Jazzy]

The Met Office has upgraded its warning of high winds to a red alert as "exceptional" 100 mph gusts are forecast to batter some exposed areas of the coast.

Northwest England and north and west Wales are in the firing line for the most ferocious winds, with speeds whipping up through the afternoon and early evening.

A ship off the south coast of Ireland has recorded a gust of 110 mph, the Met Office tweeted.

People are being urged to "take action now" and avoid travelling due to possible widespread structural damage, fallen trees, power cuts and large waves.

A red alert also indicates a risk to life is likely.

Gusts up to 80 mph are predicted for southwest England, with wind speeds at Plymouth reaching 81 mph by midday.

The storm is also sweeping over southern Ireland, with Status Red warnings for Cork and County Kerry.

A fresh deluge of a month's worth of rain is forecast for some areas by Friday night, heaping misery on communities already struggling with flooding.

Less serious "be prepared" and "be aware" warnings for snow, rain and wind have been issued for other areas of Britain.

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "Winds will pick up dramatically this afternoon around the Irish Sea, west Wales and northwest England.

"Disruption across the Pennines later is more likely to be from the tricky mix of strong winds and heavy snowfall."

David Cameron held a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency committee this morning as flood-hit regions in Somerset and the Thames Valley brace for another blast of bad weather. Another Cobra meeting will be held at 5.30pm.

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Yikes that's some wicked wind! Hope any member/members in the areas mentioned stay safe.