Storm Darragh latest: Met Office issues most extreme red weather warning

The government’s emergency alert will be sent to around three million people, containing “information about the red warning and guidance on how to stay safe into Saturday”.

Here are the areas which will receive, or have received, the alert:

• Devon
• Bath and North East Somerset
• City of Bristol
• North Somerset
• South Gloucestershire
• Somerset
• Isle of Anglesey
• Gwynedd
• Conwy
• Ceredigion
• Pembrokeshire
• Carmarthenshire
• Swansea
• Neath Port Talbot
• Bridgend
• Vale of Glamorgan
• Cardiff
• Monmouth

Emergency phone alerts will be triggered by the government in parts of the country worst affected by Storm Darragh.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “In light of the damaging winds and associated disruption, the Cabinet Office will issue an Emergency Alert at 1845 hrs on Friday 6th December to people in areas covered by the red warning in parts of Wales and the South West.”

The alert will be sent to those with compatible phones, “containing information about the red warning and guidance on how to stay safe into Saturday”.

It will be the “largest ever use of the system outside a test scenario,” the Cabinet Office added.

“Mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound even if they are set on silent. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.

“The UK Government has well rehearsed plans in place for severe winter weather and is working with teams from devolved governments, local authorities, the emergency services and other public bodies to coordinate the response to any disruption.”

The warning is in place from 3am to 11am on Saturday, covering western and southern coastal regions of Wales and the Bristol Channel in England.

Red weather warnings are the most serious type of warning. The Met Office only issues them when meteorologists believe that dangerous, potentially life-threatening weather is expected imminently.

Yellow wind warnings are in place for large parts of the UK on Friday, with amber warnings covering the west coast of England and Wales, as well as Northern Ireland, on Saturday morning.

With several weather warnings for wind and rain covering different areas at different times, The Independent has highlighted which areas will be affected.

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland will be closed on Saturday due to strong winds, it announced.

“In line with the Royal Parks’ closure of Hyde Park due to high winds, we will not be opening Hyde Park Winter Wonderland on Saturday 7th December 2024,” Winter Wonderland’s official X account said.

“The safety of our visitors and staff are our top priority and we are sorry for any disappointment caused. All affected ticket holders have been contacted directly and will have the opportunity to reschedule or refund their tickets.

“Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will be open until 5th January 2024 and there is currently plenty of availability throughout the rest of the event.

“With better weather forecast on Sunday, we anticipate operating as normal and look forward to welcoming you. Please keep an eye on our official channels for further updates.”

Liverpool FC has advised its fans to “remain alert” and “take extra care” before their away Merseyside derby fixture at Everton’s Goodison Park.

The club said in a statement: “Supporters attending Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park are advised to allow extra time for travel and remain alert to Met Office weather warnings.

“An amber severe wind warning has been issued by the Met Office for Merseyside from 1am GMT on Saturday, with wind gusts of 60mph to 70mph likely. The warning for wind is expected to remain in place until 6am on Sunday.

“Given the weather warning, fans are advised to allow extra time for their journey and take extra care.

“Supporters are also advised to keep a close eye on travel and weather guidance in their area to assist with travel planning for the Premier League fixture (12.30pm kick-off).”

Tornadoes could strike the UK as Storm Darragh prepares to wreak havoc, a storm research body has said.

“Wind gusts to around 70-75mph could accompany the stronger cores, and one or tornadoes are possible too,” said the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro), a privatrely-supported and volunteer-led research body which specialises in severe convective weather in Britain and Ireland.

The entirety of Ireland, Wales, and most of England – barring parts of the north and east – are expected to be in affected areas, according to a map published by Torro in its update on Friday afternoon.

A christmas market in Chiswick has been cancelled as a result of the dangerous winds amid Storm Darragh.

The christmas market was set to offer handmade gifts, jewellery, christmas carols sung by a performing arts choir, and story telling by Santa himself.

But the kids booked in with the big red man will have to reschedule their appointments, with heavy winds prompting organisers to call off the festive event.

Xanthe Arvanitakis, director of Chiswick House & Gardens Trust, told Chiswick Calendar: “It’s really disappointing, but what can we do? We’ve been told winds of 40mph are expected, which just makes it too dangerous to open the park.”

“We have lost that income, but also the stallholders will have lost the opportunity to earn money. We are doing everything we can, we hope the public will understand.”

Welsh deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies has warned there may be very significant impacts from the storm and urged people to take extreme care this weekend.

“Red warnings are issued when there is a potential threat to life, and therefore it is essential that people in Wales heed the warnings and take very great care if they are travelling on Saturday,” he said.

“Welsh local authorities, emergency services and Natural Resources Wales have activated their preparedness structures in readiness for Storm Darragh. I urge people to make sure they are aware of the warning levels for their local area and to follow all official advice.”

With winds of up to 90mph forecast along some coastal areas, Stena Line said the storm would be “impacting” some ferries over the coming days, and Bristol Airport said disruption was expected.

National Rail said the storm is likely to affect services across the whole network, advising people to check their journey in full before travelling as it may mean last services of the day are cancelled and passengers may not reach their destination.