‘Danger to life’, Met Office warns as Storm Arwen batters the UK

The Met Office has warned that there is a “danger to life” from flying debris as Storm Arwen batters the UK.

The weather service has issued a Red weather was Scotland and northeast England are set to be hit with 90mph gale force winds.

Storm Arwen will bring very strong northerly winds into coastal parts of Wales, which has been given an Amber warning, which is up from Yellow. I will also hit parts of western England on Friday night and into Saturday.

The highest winds then become confined to southwest England by Saturday morning. Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are expected in coastal areas with gusts in excess of 70 mph in a few places.

Forecasters have warned of damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down. They have also said there will be alongside delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights. Power cuts will also affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage, they say.

The Met Office unveiled three names “of Welsh origin” for this season’s storms in September – Arwen, Gladys and Olwen, with the first set to hit the UK the west coast of Wales today.

However, despite sounding similar to the Welsh name Anwen, the name Arwen was in fact invented by JRR Tolkien for inclusion in the Lord of the Rings trilogy as an Elvish princess.

What to expect

What to expect:

• Flying debris is likely and could lead to Injuries or danger to life
• Probably damage to trees, temporary structures and buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
• Longer journey times and cancellations likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected
• Some roads and bridges likely to close
• There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• Injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties