Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:02 pm Post subject: Near Hurricane strength winds forecast this Weekend,
Britain was warned to baton down the hatches last night ready for "near hurricane strength" gales this weekend.
Gusts of up to 70 mph are forecast for England and Wales on Saturday night, while severe gales will continue to lash the country on Sunday.
The windy weather, combined with heavy rain, will make driving conditions hazardous and will rattle chimney pots, loosen roof tiles and bring down trees.
The blusterous start to December follows one of the driest Novembers in a century.
Barry Gromett of the Met Office, said: "On Saturday night and Sunday morning we are expecting gusts of up to 60mph inland, while exposed coasts and hills could see gusts of 70mph."
"The winds will be strongest in England and Wales - and it will be less windy in Scotland for a change. These are strong gusts - 70mph winds are knocking on the door of hurricane strength.
"However, for the time of year, these are not really exceptional. With these sorts of winds you would expect to see minor damage to anything that is insecure such as old chimney pots and loose tiles. Any cross winds on the roads could also be dangerous.
"You can expect to see branches coming down on roads, which could cause problems on small country lanes."
The weather will be unsettled for the next few days, he added.
"It's a real mixed bag," he said.
Despite the gales, the Met Office last night has not issued a severe weather warning.
The prediction of severe gales follows another year of record breaking weather for Britain - and growing signs that the seasons are getting muddled up.
Daffodils have burst in bloom weeks ahead of schedule in Cornwall. The paper white and early sensation varieties at the Eden Project near St Austell Cornwall, normally blossom just before Christmas.
Adrian Lovatt, assistant temperate curator, said: "The exceptionally mild weather so far this year is having a remarkable effect upon the horticultural display.
"The two varieties of daffodil have already begun to flower way ahead of expectations."
Last week the Woodland Trust revealed that plants and animals are already behaving as if spring has arrived.
This autumn primroses have been flowering in Inverness, and roses are out in Perth. There are live tadpoles in Fife and baby newts in Edinburgh.
Autumn was one of the driest since UK-wide records began in 1914 and the driest since 1972.
Just 8.1 inches of rain fell between September and the end of November - compared to the long term seasonal average of 13.2 inches.
In contrast, the summer was the wettest. A total of 14.3 inches of rain fell - beating the previous record set in 1956. April was the warmest on record, while last winter was the mildest.
Floods swamped thousands of homes in June and July across Yorkshire, the Midlands, Wales, the South West and the Thames Valley.
The Met Office's long term weather forecast for winter suggests that temperatures will be slightly above average, and that the season will be wetter than normal. However, it will be colder than last year.
FORECAST
FRIDAY
Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cloudy and wet, with rain and wind moving south across England throughout the day.
SATURDAY Eastern England will be mainly dry. Elsewhere will have bright, sunny spells interrupted by frequent, blustery showers. Windy all day with severe gales in England and Wales overnight.
SUNDAY Rain and dry spells with gusts up to 70mph in exposed areas and hills, and up to 60mph inland.
MONDAY More windy, unsettled weather with bright spells and heavy showers.
Fingers crossed for my conservatory roof it's not very good,we are hoping to get through this winter with it intact,next year it's coming down and we are having a sun room built,so strong gales nooooooooooo _________________
The strong winds have started here in Cambridgeshire this evening, it started to pick up around tea time and it's now around Force 6 and gusting strongly ! I wonder what daybreak will bring ?
Well, for a change,we've had a beautiful day here, with sunshine and not even a slight breeze. The car windscreens are all iced up now, though, for the first time this winter. _________________
I do my best to keep up to date with the Weather Forecasts, but please remember, that my Forecast Service comes directly from the Isle of Wight Weather Station, and it's only accurate within about a 200 mile area.
Which leaves Sherrif, and our friends way up North, rather out on a limb, I'm afraid. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
We've had dreadful winds today and we're on the bottom edge of it. I daren't think what Scotland has been like. Slightly better tomorrow they say.
The little one was blown over on the way to the car I felt really sorry but he had refused to hold my hand. The other one was blown off his feet outside school but luckily he was hanging on to me.
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Thanks for that advice sandie, I'll have to dig out my wellies and a good strong kite I think ! 
