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UK weather - live: Storm Diana to hit Britain with heavy rain and 80mph winds

Heavy fog forces cancellation of hundreds of flights and trains amid 'major change' in conditions

Chris Baynes
Wednesday 28 November 2018 11:50 GMT
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UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

Britain is braced for heavy rain and winds of up to 80mph as Storm Diana bears down on the country.

The Met Office has issued yellow severe weather warnings for the west of the UK as the powerful storm approaches.

Forecasters warned "very strong and disruptive winds" could cause travel disruption lasting until Thursday afternoon in some areas.

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  ↵Weather warnings are in place across a western swathe of the UK as Storm Diana bears down on the country.

Here's what to expect: 

Chris Baynes28 November 2018 09:37
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The Met Office yellow warnings for wind are in place for the whole of west England, Wales and Scotland today, as well as eastern Scotland and most of Northern Ireland.

Forecasters expect severe weather to cause public transport disruption and possible power outages.

Wind gusts of 60mph are expected widely today, possibly strengthening to 80mph on Thursday. 

Chris Baynes28 November 2018 09:45
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Temperatures are set to remain mild today but the Met Office says it will be "very windy everywhere, with gales or severe gales affecting much of the north and west". 

"Increasing wind speeds mean that it may not feel very pleasant," says the agency.

Chris Baynes28 November 2018 09:49
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These images from Ireland's meteorological agency shows Storm Diana approaching the British Isles this morning:

Met Eireann has a number of weather warnings in place today, with gusts of up to 80mph expected in several counties.

Cork Airport has cancelled 14 flights, including journeys to or from Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and London Heathrow.

Chris Baynes28 November 2018 10:25
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The Met Office has urged people to "avoid coastal exposed areas", and from this footage posted on Twitter you can see why: 

Chris Baynes28 November 2018 12:44
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The Environment Agency has issued two flood warnings in south-west England. 

The agency warned properties in Lyme Regis and West Bay harbors in Dorset are at risk of flooding at high tide.

There are also eight flood alerts in place in coastal areas of southwest, northeast and northwest England.

Chris Baynes28 November 2018 13:10
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Selfie-seekers are being urged to not put themselves in danger as powerful winds cause large waves and rough seas on the UK's west coast

Chris Baynes28 November 2018 13:40
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The AA's George Flinton has issued this advice to drivers:

Heavy rain and strong wind, coupled with commuting home in the dark, can make for some very hazardous driving conditions.

Check the travel news before you set off and take particular care where roads dip, for example under railway bridges, which are more likely to flood.

If the road ahead is flooded, don't chance it - flood water can be deceptively deep, so turn around and find another route.

Chris Baynes28 November 2018 14:32
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Storm Diana could pose a "danger to life" across much of England tomorrow, the Met Office has warned.

All parts of the country except the southeast will be hit by wet and windy weather on Thursday, forecasters expect.

The Met Office said the was "a small chance of very strong and disruptive winds".

"Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible," added the agency's yellow warning.

Large waves could also pose a threat in council areas, it added.

Road, rail, air and ferry services are likely to be affected and some bridges could be forced to close.

Chris Baynes28 November 2018 16:13
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Diana is not on the list of the Met Office's official storm names for this winter, and was given its title by Portuguese authorities.

Richard Miles, a spokesman for the the Met Office, said the storm "had quite an impact on islands in the Atlantic" but weakened as it travelled towards the UK.

He explained: "By the time it got to us it would not meet the criteria for us to name it."

The next storm deemed powerful enough to be given a name by the UK's Met Office will be called Deidre.

Chris Baynes28 November 2018 16:45

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