The deluge is expected this afternoon giving way to frequent showers overnight and though Monday.
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They have issued their second highest level, a Status Orange, for Cork and Kerry, who they warn will face wind speeds of 65 to 75 kph with gusts of 100 to 120 kph, from 2am Monday to 9am Monday. The two Met offices released the official list of storm names in October and the next storm to hit the United Kingdom will be named Jake.
The strong winds will also be accompanied with heavy rain, and there is also a possibility of thunderstorms and hail storms, making driving conditions for early morning commuters treacherous.
The Environment Agency put a severe flood warning in place for Portreath, on the north Cornwall coast, and 23 flood warnings across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset.
“Be aware of sudden gusts of wind, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, and motorbikes plenty of space”.
For the northern half of the United Kingdom and specifically our NE region, we are closest to the centre of the low pressure system where the isobars are more widely spaced, so there will be little impact on the region from Storm Imogen. Some very large waves are also likely along the north coast of Cornwall in particular.
The agency’s forecast said: “An area of very strong winds is likely to extend east across southwest England and parts of central southern England on Monday morning”.
A Met Office spokesman said: “People should be prepared for disruption to travel on roads, rail, bridges and ferries and we could see possible damage to structures and downed trees risk affecting power”.
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The Met Office has upgraded a yellow weather warning to amber ahead of the gales, with the warning in place between 3am and 6pm.
