Storm Dave has made a significant impact on the British Isles, bringing with it powerful winds that have disrupted travel and daily life. The spring storm arrived in the UK and Ireland this evening, with the Met Office issuing warnings of wind speeds reaching up to 70mph overnight.
Pilots at Dublin Airport faced challenging conditions as they navigated gusts of 65mph today, causing large aircraft to sway like reeds. At least 25 flights have been cancelled, including 12 departures and 13 arrivals, due to the difficult wind conditions. Dublin Airport has advised passengers to contact their airlines directly, as strong winds are expected to continue.
An Aer Lingus flight managed to land safely despite struggling in heavy crosswinds. Meanwhile, a Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Dublin was forced to circle multiple times due to the strong winds, according to aviation tracker Flightradar24.
Challenging driving conditions
National Highways in England has issued warnings about road closures caused by the strong winds. The A66 in the North East will be closed to all vehicles between 9pm and the M6 junction J40 at Penrith, while high-sided vehicles will face restrictions from 7pm.
RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis highlighted the challenges drivers may face during Storm Dave. He said, “The arrival of Storm Dave is set to make driving conditions across the north and west of the UK this Easter particularly challenging. While we expect leisure traffic volumes to be slightly lower on Saturday and Sunday compared with the rest of the bank holiday, there will still be millions of people on the roads visiting friends and family.”
Dennis added, “Drivers shouldn’t underestimate the impact of the very strong winds that are forecast. We recommend taking extra care on exposed, higher routes and being especially cautious when overtaking high-sided vehicles, as the buffeting effect can catch some people out. Slowing down and keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel are both vital in these conditions.”
Impact on rail travel
Rail passengers should also prepare for potential delays due to the weather. National Rail warned that trees could fall on overhead lines and the railway during high winds. The Met Office has issued yellow and amber weather warnings, warning of power cuts, travel disruption, and treacherous coastal conditions.
Snow adds to the challenge
Heavy snowfall could worsen conditions along the border between England and Scotland, as well as in parts of Northern Ireland. The Met Office predicts almost 8 inches of snow could fall on higher ground.
Chris Bulmer, the Met Office’s chief meteorologist, said, “Storm Dave will bring a period of very strong winds, with the strongest gusts most likely in the Amber warning area. People should be prepared for impacts with disruption to travel likely and possible power cuts.”
The storm is expected to clear by Sunday, although some showers might persist in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Easter Monday is predicted to be the driest day of the bank holiday weekend.
Staying informed
For more updates on the latest news and developments, stay tuned to local news sources. Keep an eye out for any additional information regarding travel disruptions, weather changes, and safety advisories.
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