HIGHEST MET OFFICE WEATHER WARNING FOR MERSEYSIDE

MET OFFICE ISSUES RED WARNING FOR MERSEYSIDE

SEVERE GALES FORECAST; 70-90 MPH

THE NATIONAL WEATHER PICTURE HAS BEEN CALLED AN 'ALMOST UNPARALLELED NATURAL CRISIS'.

Winds gusting over 100mph are lashing parts of the UK in what the assistant chief of the defence staff describes an "almost unparalleled natural crisis".

Satellite image of the UK today at 11:am.  A severe, very deep low pressure system is responsible for the very high, destructive winds.

Winds are very strong in Formby, so much so that after school extra-curricular activities have been cancelled.  

• Wind gusts of over 100mph have been recorded as the latest round of severe weather batters the UK
 
• The Met Office has issued a rare red warning - the most severe type - and says there is a "risk to life"


• Fourteen severe flood warnings are in place in Berkshire and Surrey, while two remain in place in Somerset.
  
  
  A 'red' wind warning has been issued for Merseyside with gusts of up to 100mph set to hit the region.
  The Met Office has warned members of the public to “alter their travel arrangements during this spell of storm force winds”.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
• Maj Gen Patrick Sanders, who is co-ordinating the armed forces' response, says the floods are an "almost unparalleled natural crisis".