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Hurricane Bertha remnants may hit south of England on Sunday Hurricane Bertha remnants may hit south of England on Sunday
(34 minutes later)
There is a 60% to 70% chance that the remnants of hurricane Bertha, which has been downgraded to an Atlantic depression, will hit the south of England on Sunday, according to the Met Office.There is a 60% to 70% chance that the remnants of hurricane Bertha, which has been downgraded to an Atlantic depression, will hit the south of England on Sunday, according to the Met Office.
"The situation is still very uncertain," said Laura Young, a Met Office spokeswoman. "[The storm] is currently coming in our general direction, and one of the tracks we're looking at is that it comes across the South Downs, through the Wash and out through the east coast into the North Sea." "The situation is still very uncertain," said Laura Young, a Met Office spokeswoman. "[The storm] is coming in our general direction, and one of the tracks we're looking at is that it comes across the South Downs, through the Wash and out through the east coast into the North Sea."
The rain could affect the whole of the east coast, reaching as far as the north-east, she said. Rain and strong gusts of wind could affect the whole of the east coast, reaching as far as the north-east, she said. "We're looking at up to 50mm of rain, but we don't know the intensity of the wind at the moment and that's what's causing us some problems," said Young.
The depression could bring with it heavy rain and strong gusts of wind. "We're looking at up to 50mm of rain, but we don't know the intensity of the wind at the moment and that's what's causing us some problems," said Young.
The average rainfall for the whole of August in England is 69mm.The average rainfall for the whole of August in England is 69mm.
The Met Office said there was still a 30% to 40% chance the storm could miss the UK completely, passing through northern France instead. "That would leave the south with some very calm weather on Sunday," said Young. The Met Office said there was still a 30% to 40% chance of the storm missing the UK completely, passing through northern France instead. "That would leave the south with some very calm weather on Sunday," said Young.
The direction and intensity of the storm depend on whether it fragments and weakens as it comes across the Atlantic, so the next 24 hours are critical for predicting the implications for the UK.The direction and intensity of the storm depend on whether it fragments and weakens as it comes across the Atlantic, so the next 24 hours are critical for predicting the implications for the UK.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for Sunday covering Wales and southern England. The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for Sunday, covering Wales and southern England.
Bertha is the second hurricane of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season. It passed through the Caribbean earlier this week, leaving thousands of homes without power. Parts of Puerto Rico saw 25mm of rainfall, with some mountainous regions receiving as much as 254mm.Bertha is the second hurricane of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season. It passed through the Caribbean earlier this week, leaving thousands of homes without power. Parts of Puerto Rico saw 25mm of rainfall, with some mountainous regions receiving as much as 254mm.
Bertha is currently off the coast of New York and is moving across the Atlantic towards northern Europe.Bertha is currently off the coast of New York and is moving across the Atlantic towards northern Europe.
On Thursday, Craig Woolhouse, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said there was some chance of flooding in parts on the UK on Sunday and Monday. "A combination of high spring tides and strong westerly winds brings a possible risk of flooding to the south-west coast of England and along the Severn estuary, while heavy rain may also lead to localised surface water flooding in parts of southern and central England." On Thursday, Craig Woolhouse, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said there was some chance of flooding in parts of the UK on Sunday and Monday. "A combination of high spring tides and strong westerly winds brings a possible risk of flooding to the south-west coast of England and along the Severn estuary, while heavy rain may also lead to localised surface water flooding in parts of southern and central England."
He advised people to regularly check the forecast over the next few days. He advised people to check the forecast frequently in the next few days.