Storm eases as it heads into North Sea but forecasters say blustery and wet conditions will persist into evening

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Storm Hannah has begun to subside after heavy rain and winds of up to 82mph swept across the UK, leaving at least 11,000 properties without power.

Gusts of 60-70mph are still being recorded across the country, but a Met Office spokesperson confirmed that the storm was easing as it moved eastwards.

“It will still be windy for the next few hours with heavy thundery showers around, but Storm Hannah is clearing into North Sea, taking any of the less settled weather we’ve seen with it,” the spokesperson said.



On Saturday afternoon, ESB Networks confirmed that 33,000 homes were affected at the height of the storm on Saturday morning. Yellow wind warnings covering Wales and central and southern England, and a yellow rain warning in Northern Ireland remained in place until 3pm.

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Western Power Distribution said more than 1,700 properties had been left without power on its network on Saturday morning, the majority of which were in Wales. The storm also led to the closure of the Severn Bridge in Wales.

Transport for Wales said storm damage on the Conwy Valley line meant buses were replacing trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog. The Llyn Peninsula experienced the highest wind overnight, when a gust of 82mph was clocked at Aberdaron.

Meanwhile, a gust of 78mph was recorded at Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire and there was a 64mph gust at the Needles off the Isle of Wight.

Many areas will experience wet and windy conditions on Saturday, although Scotland and south-east England are expected to see better weather. However, temperatures are only expected to reach between 9C (48F) and 12C (53F) – much lower than the 26C heat recorded over the Easter weekend.

Western parts could also get a touch of frost on Saturday night under clearer skies in Hannah’s wake.

Named by the Irish weather service, Met Éireann, Hannah barrelled into the south-west of Ireland on Friday. Forecasters issued several weather warnings, including a red warning of “violent gusts”.

ESB Networks said on Friday night that strong winds had caused damage to the Irish electricity network affecting approximately 10,000 homes, farms and businesses, predominantly in counties Kerry and Cork.