STORM FRANCIS: Met Office escalates wind warning to amber as Derbyshire braces for 70mph gusts

The weather warning for ‘very strong winds’ across the East Midlands launches at 2pm today (Tuesday, August 25) and will remain in place until 10pm.

While not exceptional, winds this strong are unusual for August and they will be accompanied by heavy rain in places.

Longer journey times and are cancellations likely, as road, rail and air services may be affected, the Met Office warns.

Some roads and bridges likely to close and there is ‘a good chance’ that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.

Flying debris is ‘likely’ and could lead to injuries or danger to life and probably some damage to buildings and trees, such as tiles blown from roofs and branches on roads.

Chief meteorologist Andy Page, said “The UK is in for another unseasonably wet and windy spell with Storm Francis arriving on Tuesday. There will be strong winds and heavy rain.

"A number of severe weather warnings have been issued and these warnings can be updated regularly so please keep up to date with the latest Met Office forecast.”

Storm Francis is set to clear by Wednesday lunchtime, leaving a brighter and more settled outlook.

After a showery day on Friday the Bank Holiday weekend should bring sunshine to most parts for a time with scattered showers before further unsettled weather is expected to move in from Tuesday next week.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor