Storm Bram to hit as ‘danger to life’ warning issued

Storm Bram is due to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Wiltshire. <i>(Image: Trevor Porter)</i>
Storm Bram is due to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Wiltshire. (Image: Trevor Porter)
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A storm due to batter Gloucestershire and Wiltshire has been named as residents brace for heavy rains and flood alerts.

Storm Bram will bring strong winds and very heavy rain to northern and western parts of the UK, with an Amber warning issued in parts of the south west and south Wales, the Met Office has said.

A yellow weather warning is in place for Gloucestershire including Stroud, Cirencester, Dursley, Yate and Thornbury, with heavy rains and strong winds expected to bring disruption to the county, as well as a possible danger to life.

The warning will come into force from 6pm, Monday, December 8, and will remain in place until 2pm, Tuesday, December 9.

Flood alerts are in place across Cirencester and the Slimbridge Nature Reserve as well as South Cerney and the Cotswold Water Park area.

The UK’s chief meteorological service has advised residents to make sure they take precautionary steps as the storm approaches.

Met Office chief forecaster, Dan Suri, said: “Storm Bram will bring a very wet and windy spell of weather, with very strong winds and further heavy rain which falling over saturated ground, could cause flooding impacts.

“Within the Amber wind warning over northwest Scotland, gusts of up to 90 mph could be recorded. More widely, gusts of 50-60 mph, and perhaps 70 mph in a few spots, are expected across Wales, southwest England and Northern Ireland. 

“Rain is an additional impact from Storm Bram, with the possibility of 100mm over higher ground in the south of Wales and parts of Devon.

“This could require escalations to existing warnings, so it’s important to stay up to date with the forecast in your area, as well as any flood warnings from your local environment agency.” 

According to the Met Office, Storm Bram will slowly pull away northwards from Britain during Wednesday. In its wake, Wednesday will be a windy day, especially in the north, with some showers, mainly in the west as well as some more persistent rain in the far north, at least at first. 

Thursday will be a drier day for many across the UK, with the chance of a frost for some in central and southeastern parts to start the day. It will remain very windy in the far north, with low cloud, drizzle and eventually rain moving in from the West.  

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