Storm batters the UK causing chaos by Sean Batty
A deep area of low pressure swept in from the Atlantic during the early hours of Thursday morning promising strong winds and heavy rain.
The storm has brought chaos across the country as the winds continue to pick up through this afternoon in eastern parts of the UK and northern England.
Disruption to travel became an issue for many areas as many train operators reduced their services, with GNER running a reduced service between London and Edinburgh. Ferry crossings from Dover were cancelled after wind speeds reached 60mph along the Kent coast.
The morning commute was made hazardous on the M62, which crosses the Pennines in Yorkshire, not just because of the winds, but also the falling snow, which made for icy roads.
Several inches of snow also forced the A9, in the Highlands, to close last night. The traffic officers shut the gates last night between Dalwhinnie and Blair Atholl. More snow fell in the Highlands area this morning.
The strong winds have already killed one man in Shropshire after a tree fell on his car as winds gusted to around 60mph in the area.
The strongest wind gust of the day was recorded at the very exposed location of the Needles, in the west of the Isle of Wight, where winds reached 99mph at 7am.
Eire has also been taking a battering with Dublin recording wind gusts of up to 91mph at 10am.
The stormy winds are set to move east into the northern continent later this afternoon. Meteo France are predicting winds to reach nearly 90mph in the Calais area, while Germany may experience winds of up to 100mph in more exposed parts later today.
The storm still has the UK in its grip and we will have a final review on it in tomorrow’s news stories.
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