UK households are being urged to shut and secure all doors and windows this weekend, especially on Sunday, after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for extreme winds.
The forecaster has issued a 12-hour weather warning affecting 103 UK areas including in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as a separate warning for Northern Ireland.
Weather experts are predicting strong winds will batter the UK from 6am to 6pm on Sunday, with a risk of possible power cuts, disruption to travel and damage to homes and gardens.
The forecaster said in its advice on how to stay safe in a storm that households should be looking to securely fasten and close doors and windows particularly those facing into the wind, as well as garage doors.
Its advice says: “Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house, and especially large doors such as those on garages.
“Secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown into windows and other glazing and break them.
“Park vehicles in a garage, if available; otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences.
“Close and secure loft trapdoors with bolts, particularly if roof pitch is less than 30°
“If the house is fitted with storm shutters over the windows then ensure that these are closed and fastened.”
It also said that you should move your bed from the wall if your house has a tall chimney stack.
During the storm itself, people are being urged to stay indoors as much as possible and don’t open internal doors unless necessary.
It added: “Stay indoors as much as possible. If possible, enter and leave your house through doors in the sheltered side, closing them behind you
Open internal doors only as needed, and close them behind you.”
The forecaster said that strong winds will be up to 70mph in some areas.
In its forecast, the Met Office said: “Southerly to southwesterly winds are expected to increase through Sunday morning, peaking late morning to early afternoon with gusts of 50-60mph, and perhaps as much as 70mph in exposed spots along Irish Sea coastlines, Scottish Islands, and other areas of high ground further inland. Rain will accompany strong winds, which will make for very poor weather conditions, especially on roads. Winds will then ease from southwest to northeast of the warning area through the afternoon and early evening.”
