UK: Atlantic storm hits England, Ireland

Red weather floods and gale alert for England and Ireland as Atlantic super-storm shuts Cork and Shannon airports

A rare red weather warning has been issued by both the Met Office and Met Eireann as a severe storm brings heavy rain, blizzards and “exceptionally strong winds” of up to 110mph sweeping across the UK and Ireland.

While Northern Ireland has been stepped up to “amber warning” for wind, travellers are facing disruption in north-west England, Wales, Cork and Kerry where the severe weather alert has been raised to the highest possible level.
?Cork and Shannon Airports have closed temporarily after a plane at Shannon was damaged
?Belfast International and City airports said all flights are operating as normal today, but they will update the public if that changes
?A gale warning has been issued for the Irish Sea, where winds are “hurricane force”

?The tide reached 3.3m at Belfast this morning and will rise to 3.1m at about 10.15pm tonight

Winds are expected to gust 60-70 mph at exposed locations in Northern Ireland, but the Met Office says a ship south of Ireland has already recorded winds of 110mph.

The storm, known as Storm Darwin, has brought down trees and cut off power supplies to 260,000 customers in the Republic of Ireland and 3,000 homes in Wales.

Blustery showers will return across Northern Ireland this evening, with severe gales on the Co Down coast. Armagh, Down and south Antrim will face severe winds tonight, with showers turning to snow over higher………..read more:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/live-red-weather-floods-and-gale-alert-for-england-and-ireland-as-atlantic-superstorm-shuts-cork-and-shannon-airports-30003310.html