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Storm Bram has officially been named by Ireland’s weather service, with strong wind and heavy rain warnings now in place for parts of both the UK and Ireland.
The Met Office has cautioned that some areas of the UK could see more than half a month’s worth of rainfall within just 24 hours. Ireland is currently under yellow and orange alerts today and tomorrow, with “very strong to gale-force” winds expected on Tuesday.
In the UK, a yellow rain warning comes into effect at 6pm on Monday and will last for 24 hours, covering southwest England, Wales, and extending into parts of Herefordshire and Hampshire.
A separate yellow wind warning has also been issued from Dorset and Cornwall up to north Wales, active from 10pm on Monday until 4pm on Tuesday. The Met Office warns that transport services may be disrupted, particularly for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes. Coastal roads may also face hazards from large waves and sea spray, and power cuts are possible.
Between Monday evening and Tuesday evening, 40mm of rain may fall in some regions, while higher elevations such as Dartmoor and the uplands of South Wales could see 60–80mm—equivalent to over half of December’s typical monthly rainfall. Since the ground is already saturated, travel conditions could become challenging.
On Tuesday, an amber wind warning is in place for northwest Scotland, alongside yellow warnings for wind and rain across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and both northern and southwest England. Further yellow wind warnings continue across Scotland and northern England on Wednesday.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Steven Keates explained that a deepening low-pressure system will move in from the southwest late Monday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds through early Wednesday. However, the exact track and intensity remain uncertain, making it difficult to pinpoint the areas that will experience the worst conditions. He advised the public to stay updated on forecasts as more warnings are expected.
Looking ahead, the Met Office expects the remainder of the month to stay unsettled, with more low-pressure systems likely, and says it is still too early to give an accurate forecast for Christmas.
