Storm Barra: High winds and snow batters parts of the UK with warnings for more disruption

The storm has brought high winds and snow across much of the UK and threatens to bring further disruption to areas badly affected by the recent Storm Arwen
Storm Barra has already arrived in Scotland, with parts covered in snow and battling strong winds. (Credit: Getty)Storm Barra has already arrived in Scotland, with parts covered in snow and battling strong winds. (Credit: Getty)
Storm Barra has already arrived in Scotland, with parts covered in snow and battling strong winds. (Credit: Getty)

Storm Barra has begun battering part of the UK as areas are hit with high winds and snow.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for most of the UK for snow and wind, with forecasters warning that many people may be affected by the bad weather.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The storm arrives just as many parts of the country are still feeling the effects of Storm Awren, which left thousands of homes without power.

Becky Mitchell, senior operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “The strong winds will continue across the UK this evening, bringing widely 40-50mph, and up to 65mph at the coast. This could give tricky travelling conditions, some power outages and large waves at the coast.

“Rain and snow will clear Scotland after midnight, and the winds will gradually ease for most of the country. However, it will stay windy in parts of southwest England and Wales, where a yellow wind warning remains in force through Wednesday.”

At a glance: 5 key points

  • The Met Office issued a yellow warning for large area of the UK between Tuesday 7 December at 9am until 12pm
  • Wind was due to batter most part of England and Wales and the west and east coasts of Scotland, with snow expected in northern Scotland too
  • The weather has already caused disruption throughout the country, with trees brought down and schools shut
  • Strom Barra comes after homes in the north of England and in northeast Scotland were previously hit by Storm Arwen
  • Storm Arwen, which hit the regions last week, left households without power for extended periods of time, with some still disconnected

Scotland on high alert

Storm Barra began wreaking havoc throughout the UK, with Scotland hit by wind and snow.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

South Lanarkshire has already seen snowfall and strong winds ave brought down trees.

A gust of 68mph has been recorded by The Met Office in Machrihanish, near Campbeltown in Argyll.

Schools have also been forced to shut their doors in Dumfries and Galloway, with structural damage to building and trees being blown down on campuses.

The A702 in South Lanarkshire was also blocked by a tree which had been blown onto the road, causing chaos for drivers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Scotrail had confirmed that some train services had been cancelled, including between Dundee and Aberdeen, and Inverness and Elgin, as well as Network Rail confirming that damage to overhead wires had also affected services.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The conditions brought in by Storm Barra continue to have the potential to impact the trunk road network, as well other modes of transport.

“As always, we urge people to check the latest information before they set off, drive to the conditions and follow Police Scotland travel advice.”

Reeling from effects of Storm Arwen

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Storm Arwen caused devastation in the UK, including three deaths.

Some households were still left unconnected by the time Storm Barra hit on Tuesday morning.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has said that staff in areas that are expected to be worst hit by Storm Barra are on alert to minimise any disruptions to the grid network.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going. You can also sign up to our email newsletters and get a curated selection of our best reads to your inbox every day.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.