Met Office issues red weather warning for Storm Arwen
The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for coastal areas in the northeast of the UK as Storm Arwen will bring high winds and disruption for much of the UK.
A rare red weather warning for wind has been added to existing amber and yellow wind warnings, with coastal areas on the east coast of Scotland and the northeast of England set to see the most disruptive winds, with gusts expected in excess of 80mph.
The red warning will come into force from 15:00 Friday and will last until 02:00 Saturday morning. The northerly wind is expected to cause damage to coastal areas, with exceptionally large waves possible in the northeast, resulting in likely significant damage and hazards from beach material being thrown near the coastline. People should stay away from the coast as waves and debris are a danger to life.
The red warning is embedded within a wider amber wind warning for the northeast of the UK, with gusts in excess of 70mph likely later on Friday and in to Saturday morning within this area. An amber wind warning has also been issued for southwest and northwest England, as well as western Wales, and will be in force from midnight on Saturday. The amber warnings extend to 09:00 on Saturday morning. Temporary and open structures are at risk of significant damage and represent danger to life.
For the North Staffordshire area Storm Arwen brings strengthening winds through the night, with gales possible in the early hours. Outbreaks of rain spread southwards through the night, falling as snow over high ground and potentially sleet for lower levels. Widely frosty and feeling cold. Minimum temperature -1 °C. On Saturday the rain and snow will clear through the morning, leaving a largely dry afternoon with sunny intervals. Feeling cold owing to significant wind chill in strong northerly winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.