Storm Kathleen Causes Multiple Flight Cancellations in UK
Approximately 70 flights to and from UK airports have been cancelled before midday on Saturday due to Storm Kathleen, which is bringing winds of up to 70 miles per hour and potentially the hottest day of the year so far.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind covering the north-west and south-west of England as well as parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., leading to the cancellation of these flights.
Another yellow warning for wind has been issued for north-west Scotland on Sunday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. with gusts of up to 70mph expected.
Temperatures are expected to reach up to 22C in East Anglia on Saturday as warm air moves in from the continent.
Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer stated, “The storm is responsible for the warmer temperatures due to the southerly winds it is bringing across the UK from its location towards the west.”
Storm Kathleen is also expected to bring winds of 50-60mph widely on Saturday and up to 70mph in some Irish Sea coastal regions along with large waves.
Ms. Glaisyer added that most areas in the UK will experience above-average temperatures, with western regions likely to see temperatures of 15 or 16C, despite the stronger winds in the yellow warning zones making it feel a bit colder.
Storm Kathleen is the 11th named storm in eight months and only the second time in a UK storm season that a storm name beginning with the letter K has been reached.
The shipping forecast had 29 gale warnings in place on Saturday morning for sea areas including Viking, Plymouth, Biscay, Sole, and Lundy, indicating challenging conditions for drivers on the western side of the UK.
The Environment Agency issued 14 flood warnings in England on Saturday, with National Resources Wales issuing six flood alerts, and cautioning against navigating strong streams on the River Thames with 45 red warnings in place.
