The Daily Dazzling Dawn

United Kingdom |

Met Office

Yellow Wind Warning for London Amid Storm Darragh

by DD Staff

December 07, 2024

A woman struggles in winds on Millenium Bridge (REUTERS)

key takeaways

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings due to Storm Darragh, preparing London for another windy night.

On Saturday, the capital's airports had to cancel hundreds of flights due to devastating gusts of up to 93 mph, and the Winter Wonderland had to close. Additionally closed were Victoria Tower Gardens, Royal Parks, and Brompton Cemetery.

The Met Office has now removed the most severe red warning that was previously issued, even if the yellow warning for winds in the capital is still expected to remain in effect through Sunday.

It comes at the end of a disruptive and damaging day of gusty weather across the UK, which saw a major incident being declared in Wales and thousands left without electricity. Many trains were cancelled and sports fixtures, including the Merseyside derby, were postponed.

In Lancashire, a man died after a tree fell on his van as a result of Darragh.

Detective Sgt Matt Davidson, of the serious collision investigation unit, said: “Very sadly this incident has resulted in the death of a man and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.”

The Government’s “risk to life” alert came into effect at 1am on Saturday and was sent to people within the area covered by the Met Office’s rare red warning for wind in parts of Wales and south-west England.

Speaking to Sky News, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the storm as a “challenging situation”.

He added: “About three million homes will have had the emergency alert system on their mobile phone. I would just encourage anyone who has had that to follow the advice.

“Where you can, stay inside, don’t put yourself at risk, and just follow the advice at all times.”

The weather warning is set to last until Monday for London.

The Met Office has forecast for Sunday: “A cloudy and wet day, with further periods of rain punctuated by some heavier bursts. Perhaps some drier spells developing later. Widespread strong winds only very slowly easing.”

The outlook for Monday to Wednesday added: “Still breezy with a few showers Monday and perhaps early Tuesday, but gradually giving way to drier, brighter, less windy conditions midweek, with overnight fog and frost becoming more prevalent.”