The met office have just released an update to the severe weather expected this weekend.

As well as bringing everything forward to be in effect from 21:00 tonight, the area of disruption has changed dramatically too. The system is moving so fast, its difficult to predict. Any warnings released now are likely to be flash warnings, with little notification.

http://www.midlandsweather.org.uk/uk-weather-chat/4281-severe-weather-potential-24-25-nov-2006-a.html#post1018528

Will anyone be making prepearations to reduce possible wind/flooding damage, or will it be a case of see what heppens then react?

Storm Forecast
Valid: Fri 24 Nov 2006 06:00 to Sat 25 Nov 2006 06:00 UTC
Issued: Thu 23 Nov 2006 22:49
Forecaster: DAHL
SYNOPSIS

Upper flow over W and central Europe is expected to back somewhat as Atlantic upper trough amplifies in response to a vort max rounding the base of the trough. Vigorous SFC cyclogenesis is expected to accompany this vort max, affecting the Iberian Peninsula and the British Isles on Friday and Friday night. Otherwise, weak quasi-stationary upper trough persists over the E Mediterranean regions.

...IN OTHER WORDS... [color="Red"]'A Windy Weekend'.[/color]

Batten the hatches. Try to secure anything that could be a possible missile in the wind. Depending on the nature of the wind, but in the event of a storm with lots of wind I tend to partly open the windows on the sheltered side IF there is a sheltered side. A bit more difficult if the wind is swirling around. Unless you have surge protection, should there be thunder/lightening it can be prudent to disconnect things. Having seen the effect of lightening striking a house and the lights lighting up briefly I try to be cautious on that front but not paranoid.

Be sure to know where the stop tap is for the water, the main power switch and know where the gas is turned off. Have water on hand so that you can at least have a wash/drink, food that does not require cooking in case you have no power/gas available. A radio, batteries, candles/matches and/or a torch with fresh batteries. Keep all necessary papers eg passports somewhere that will enable quick and easy location if required and if you have to leave your home then be sure to wear protective and warm clothing.

Sorry if this sounds a bit far fetched but they are the normal things down under people do when a storm is on the way.

Ron, thanks for terming that in layman's language for us ;-)

Indeed it is. Possibility of some tornadic activity too. Credit though for the above forecast, comes from ESTOFEX, the European Storm Forceast Experiment http://www.estofex.org/

Some good advice in there. If the winds do contain any electrical activity, the weather station has some tracking maps to see national thunderstorm activity.

A raft of FLASH WEATHER WARNINGS have just been issued for Severe Gales

The weather warnings are appreciated - thanks Optrex