31/01/2008

Extreme Weather To Worsen

Gale force winds have been causing traffic chaos across the UK, claiming at least one life, with forecasters warning of blizzards and snow showers to come.

A lorry driver died on the M6 in Cumbria in one of a spate of accidents after gusts reached up to 70mph. A long stretch of the motorway was shut as lorries were swept over in the wind.

In Scotland, restrictions were in place on the Tay and Erskine bridges, and further north there were also warnings on the Skye and Kessock bridges.

The Forth Road Bridge, west of Edinburgh, was closed to northbound traffic after a lorry overturned in the stormy conditions.

Strong winds are hampering the recovery operation on the Forth bridge, but the emergency services hope this can take place before wind speeds increase.

In Dumfries and Galloway, fallen trees led to the closure of the A7 at Irvine House, Canonbie, and blocked a number of minor roads in the Annan area.

Strong winds and rain are causing problems across Wales with power failures, schools and bridges closed and ferries cancelled. About 1,000 homes in Gwynedd are without electricity.

A forecaster for MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, said as temperatures plummet over the coming days, overnight temperatures in Scotland could reach "minus double figures".

Generally in England and Wales they are set to hit a low of around -3C (26.6F) on Friday night.

(GC)


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