UK weather – live: Storm Barra pelts regions with snow and flooding as ‘weather bomb’ set to go on another day

After a day of snow in parts of Scotland and some flooding in southeast England, Storm Barra is is set to continue for another day.

The Met Office said it would bring more brisk winds and bands of heavy showers across the UK on Wednesday, and warned Britons to remain “weather aware” this evening.

Barra is now being considered a “weather bomb”, an unofficial term for a low pressure system whose central pressure falls 24 millibars (mb) in 24 hours in a process known as explosive cyclogenesis. The storm, which is currently effecting Ireland and Scotland worse than it is England and Wales, is thought to have dropped around 56bm between Monday at 6am and Tuesday at the same time.

So far, Gwynedd, in northwest Wales, has recorded the strongest gusts of wind, at 86mph, followed by Orlock Head in County Down (76mph) and St Bees Head in Cumbria (71pmh), according to forecasters.

Meanwhile, a number of schools in counties issued with a red or orange weather warning in Ireland have been told to remain closed for a second day tomorrow.

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Key Points

• Barra considered a ‘weather bomb’ due to low pressure

• Schools in Ireland told to remain closed for second day amid red alert

• Devon records highest gusts of Storm Barra wind at 77mph

• 49,000 homes in Ireland still without power amid damage

• Forecasters not expecting Barra to be as bad as Storm Arwen

• Christmas events close due to severe weather conditions

Ice, hail and strong winds forecast for tomorrow morning

21:39 , Andy Gregory

Here’s the latest outlook from the Met Office for tomorrow morning – some “icy stretches” in the north, scattered showers with hail, and “strong and gusty winds”, particularly in the south and west.

ICYMI: Watch as Barra’s flooding hits Cork in Ireland

21:15 , Sam Hancock

Red warnings to be downgraded in parts of Ireland

21:00 , Sam Hancock

The red wind warnings over Cork and Kerry, in Ireland, will be downgraded to orange at 9pm today.

From 1am tomorrow, the red wind warning over Clare will also be downgraded.

Most of the warnings in the UK will also expire at midnight, leaving just a yellow wind warning across the south and west of Wales and southwest England for Wednesday.

In images: Storm Barra snow affects roads across UK

20:49 , Sam Hancock

NI police urge people to ‘exercise extreme caution’ overnight

20:30 , Sam Hancock

Northern Irish police are asking residents - especially road users - to “exercise extreme caution” overnight as Storm Barra continues to put drivers at risk.

Police Ards and North Down said any debris on the roads would be difficult to see in the dark.

“Take care and always expect the unexpected,” the force added.

ICYMI: Watch as people in Wales told they face brisk winds and days of disruption

20:15 , Sam Hancock

Gwynedd records highest gusts of Storm Barra wind

19:55 , Sam Hancock

The Met Office has revealed the strongest wind gusts recorded so far during Storm Barra.

Gwynedd, in Wales, has seen the highest. Here’s how the figures look:

• 86mph at Aberdaron in Gwynedd

• 76mph at Valley in Gwynedd

• 76mph at Orlock Head in Down

• 73mph at Pembrey Sands in Dyfed

• 71mph at St Bees Head in Cumbria

‘Brisk winds and heavy showers’ to continue Wednesday

19:43 , Sam Hancock

Barra considered a ‘weather bomb’ due to low pressure

19:11 , Sam Hancock

Storm Barra is being considered a weather bomb due to the way it is spreading across Britain, the Met Office has said.

A ‘weather bomb’ is an unofficial term for a low pressure system whose central pressure falls 24 millibars in 24 hours in a process known as explosive cyclogenesis.

Barra fell from a pressure of 1017mb at 6am on Monday to 961mb at 6am today, meaning there was a 56mb drop in 24 hours.

“The storm is a low pressure system that has deepened very quickly,” a Met Office spokesperson told The Independent.

Schools told to stay closed for second day

19:01 , Sam Hancock

Schools in the areas worst affected by Storm Barra will remain closed in Ireland on Wednesday, as strong winds continue to cause damage across the country.

Those in counties currently under red and orange weather warnings in Ireland have been told to remain closed on Tuesday.

It means schools in Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Wexford should stay shut.

The Department of Education said the closures would allow for an assessment of the impact of Barra to take place.

The same advice has been issued to universities, colleges and third-level institutions.

View of Storm Barra from space

18:20 , Sam Hancock

The World Meteorological Organisation has shared images of what Barra looks like from above:

Storm Barra forces schools to shut as gusts reach 68mph

18:00 , Sam Hancock

Parts of Scotland are on alert as high winds and snow start to batter the country as Storm Barra sweeps across the UK, reports Dan Barker.

It has already brought snow, with people in South Lanarkshire seen clearing their driveways, and high winds have caused disruption on roads as they bring down trees.

Schools in Dumfries and Galloway were forced to close because of the weather. Stranraer Academy was shut after the wind caused structural damage to its roof, the council said, and Drummore School closed because of trees being blown down.

Storm Barra forces schools to shut as gusts reach 68mph

ICYMI: Watch major flooding in Cork as Storm Barra hits Ireland

17:40 , Sam Hancock

In images: Storm Barra continues to hit UK with gale winds

17:20 , Sam Hancock

‘Heavy’ rain, snow and ‘strong winds’ continue to batter UK – Met

16:58 , Sam Hancock

Relief as electricity restored post-Arwen

16:46 , Sam Hancock

People have told of their relief after they were finally reconnected after 10 days without electricity.

Northern Powergrid is in its “last push” to restore electricity in areas of the country after it was cut off by Storm Arwen, which battered the country during the last days of November.

The same homes are now expected to be hit by Storm Barra, which has already made its effects felt across the UK and Ireland, with gusty winds battering communities.

The Met Office said it is likely that Barra will not be as bad as Arwen, but that disruption to the travel network is likely, with snow and heavy rain in some areas until Wednesday.

However, despite such assurances, forecasters say there is “a small chance” larger-than-usual waves in coastal areas could present a risk of injury or potentially a threat to life if wild winds whip street furniture and beach material into the air.

Met Office spokeswoman Nicky Maxey said: “It is unlikely to be as impactful as Storm Arwen last week but there will be blustery conditions so people should still be prepared.”

ICYMI: People in Wales face up to 70mph winds and days of disruption

16:25 , Sam Hancock

Yellow wind warning extended to cover northwest Wales

16:14 , Sam Hancock

The updated caution will last from midnight until 6pm on Wednesday.

NI Christmas market closed due to Storm Barra

15:56 , Sam Hancock

Belfast Continental Christmas Market will remain closed today due to the “extreme weather conditions” caused by Storm Barra, organisers have said.

“Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause,” a post on the event’s Facebook Page added.

It follows an earlier announcement that Exeter Winter Wonderland will also be closed for today.

Footage shows huge waves crashing down on Isle of Mann

15:40 , Sam Hancock

In images: Snow in Scotland and flooding in England

15:30 , Sam Hancock

Storm Barra ‘only halfway through’ with stronger winds on way

15:20 , Sam Hancock

Storm Barra is only “halfway through” and the strongest winds could be yet to come, Ireland’s housing minister has warned.

Some 49,000 homes are without power and may not be reconnected for a number of days, government officials have said, after the country was battered by winds of up to 130km per hour.

The country’s defence forces are to be drafted in for “extensive recovery operations”, to clear debris and damage caused by the storm, writes James Ward.

Storm Barra ‘only halfway through’ with stronger winds on the way

Devon records highest gusts of Storm Barra wind

15:10 , Sam Hancock

The Met Office has revealed the strongest wind gusts recorded so far during Storm Barra.

Devon, in England, has seen the highest. Here’s how the figures look:

• 77mph at Berry Head in Devon

• 76mph at Orlock Head in County Down

• 71mph at Magilligan in Londonderry

• 69mph at Aberdaron in Gwynedd

• 69mph at West Freugh in Wigtownshire

Northern Ireland ‘holding up well’ against Storm Barra

15:00 , Sam Hancock

As of 2pm, there were around 4,000 electricity customers without power across Northern Ireland.

This is separate to the 49,000 customers without power in the Republic of Ireland.

NIE Networks said affected areas included Downpatrick, Newtownards, Newry, Coleraine, Dungannon and Craigavon.

However, NIE added it had held up well overall, with Storm Barra having had a relatively low impact so far.

‘Respect the water,’ RNLI reminds Brits amid Storm Barra

14:48 , Sam Hancock

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is reminding areas affected by Storm Barra to “respect the water” amid severe weather conditions across the UK.

“Half of those who drown at the coast never intended to enter the water,” the charity said in a tweet, alongside footage of waves crashing down in Britain.

Watch: Cork’s River Lee breaks banks as Barra hits Ireland

14:38 , Sam Hancock

Tens of thousands of homes without power across Ireland

14:27 , Sam Hancock

Some 49,000 homes remain without power in Ireland, according to ESB Networks.

Gale force winds are continuing to damage the electricity network, with fallen trees on overhead lines proving a major problem.

The energy supplier said more damage and interruptions to supply are expected.

“Crews restoring power where safe to do so,” ESB said in a statement published on Twitter.

Cork expecting ‘intense period of severe wind’

14:20 , Sam Hancock

Cork City Council has urged residents in the city to stay at home as winds between 80-130km p/h are expected to continue throughout the day.

The council said “an intense period of severe wind” is expected over the next few hours, with a red wind alert in place until 9pm today.

At least 12 fallen trees have been reported across the city and power lines have also fallen.

Flood waters also flowed across South Mall from the riverside quays at Morrisons Island, peaking at 2.68m.

More images of heavy snowfall in Scotland caused by Barra

14:06 , Sam Hancock

PM says Britain must be better prepared for extreme storms

13:59 , Sam Hancock

More from Boris Johnson now, who has said the UK must be better prepared for extreme storms.

“We need to learn the lessons for the future and make sure that we have better resilience against storms of this kind,” the PM told reporters on a visit to HMP Isis today. “We haven’t seen a storm as violent as Storm Arwen for a long time. It’s likely to happen again, we have got to make sure that we protect people against it.”

He also appeared to criticise energy companies, saying “too many people have spent too long without power” as a result of Storm Arwen as communities faced a further battering from Storm Barra.

Asked whether the situation in northern England was acceptable, the PM told reporters: “No, I don’t think it is.”

He continued: “I have spoken over the last few days to some of the people involved, particularly to the authorities at Northern Powergrid who explained some of the massive technical difficulties they have had in dealing with the effects of Storm Arwen.”

Mr Johnson said the firm blamed high winds and frozen equipment but those explanations were “no consolation to thousands of people who have been without power”.

Footage shows impact of Barra on Northern Ireland

13:42 , Sam Hancock

‘Unacceptable’ homes remain without power, says No 10

13:31 , Sam Hancock

Downing Street has said it is “unacceptable” that more than 500 homes remain without power following Storm Arwen.

Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said 686 homes have had their power restored since Monday to leave around 539 still without supply.

“It’s obviously unacceptable that these homes, these families are without power, we’ve seen the situation improve but that will not be of help to those who are still facing this challenge,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

In images: Snow begins to fall in Scotland as Storm Barra arrives

13:25 , Sam Hancock

Barra causes flight cancellations and diversions

13:15 , Sam Hancock

Storm Barra has so far caused several flight cancellations and at least one diversion, writes our head of travel Helen Coffey.

A number of flights into Dublin have already been cancelled in response to weather warnings, along with the return journeys: United Airlines New York (Newark)-Dublin, Air France Paris-Dublin and Lufthansa Munich-Dublin services have all been axed.

Meanwhile, Delta Airlines flight 44 from New York JFK was forced to divert to Amsterdam after abandoning two attempts at landing at the Irish capital’s airport.

Read the full report:

Storm Barra causes flight cancellations and diversions

‘Very strong winds’ as Barra moves eastwards across UK

13:05 , Sam Hancock

Britons have been warned by the Met Office to expect “very strong winds” as Storm Barra moves “slowly eastwards across the UK.

Parts of the northwest and northeast of England, as well as Birmingham in the Midlands, look set to be hit by gale-like forces, according to the Met’s latest graphic.

Wales is already seeing high seas, though so far conditions have been much harsher in Northern Ireland than in any other part of the UK.

Exeter’s Winter Wonderland closes due to wind

12:48 , Sam Hancock

A popular Christmas fair in Exeter has been forced to close “due to heavy wind that is scheduled to be coming in” as a result of Storm Barra.

Organisers said refunds will be processed for “ice skating and Santa’s grotto”, and that the site hopes to be back up and running by tomorrow (Wednesday 8 December).

Watch: Storm Barra causes major flooding in Cork

12:40 , Sam Hancock

Forecasters not expecting Storm Barra to be as bad as Arwen

12:30 , Chiara Giordano

The Met Office has said it is likely Storm Barra will not be as bad as Arwen, its predecessor, but that disruption to the travel network is likely, with snow and heavy rain in some areas until Wednesday.

Met Office spokeswoman Nicky Maxey said: “We are not expecting the impacts of Barra to be as bad as we saw with Arwen.

“Storm Barra will bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to many parts of the UK today.

“We may see some snow on the higher ground, too.

“It is unlikely to be as impactful as Storm Arwen last week but there will be blustery conditions so people should still be prepared.”

At least 59,000 left without power amid storm damage in Ireland

12:20 , Chiara Giordano

Tens of thousands of people have been left without power after Ireland was hit by Storm Barra early this morning.

ESB Networks confirmed 59,000 customers had been affected by outages as of 9.45am because of damage caused by the storm.

The firm said the outage, affecting homes, businesses and farms, was mainly attributable to fallen trees on overhead lines as a result of the high winds.

Heaviest rain recorded in north Cornwall as flood warnings remain

12:10 , Chiara Giordano

The heaviest rain in the UK this morning was near Launceston in north Cornwall, which saw 14mm (0.6in) fall in three hours from 7am.

Yellow wind warnings are in place across much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, although the west of Ireland will receive the worst of the storm today.

There are further weather warnings in place across Northern Ireland and the southwest of England into Wednesday.

The Environment Agency had five flood warnings in place as of 11am, meaning flooding is expected.

They are along the south coast of England between Dorset and Hampshire, in Christchurch, Beaulieu, Fareham, and Langstone and Emsworth, and along the Essex coast at Coalhouse Fort.

There are nearly 40 flood alerts also in place, meaning flooding is possible.

Snow expected to hit northern England and Scotland

12:00 , Chiara Giordano

An updated weather map shows how snow and strong winds will move across northern England and up into Scotland this afternoon.

The Met Office graphic shows the storm progressing into the north from 12pm today.

A weather warning for snow came into force for northern England and Scotland at 11am and will last until midnight.

People living in red and orange weather warning areas in Ireland urged not to travel

11:55 , Chiara Giordano

Police in Ireland have urged anyone living in areas affected by red or orange weather warnings to avoid unnecessary travel.

Cork, Kerry and Clare have all been given the red warning while an orange-level warning is in place for much of the east and west coast.

A yellow warning is in place for the rest of the country from 2am on Tuesday until 6pm on Wednesday.

Met Eireann said there was a strong possibility the alert status of some counties could move from orange to red.

The Defence Forces are on standby to help emergency services, alongside members of Civil Defence.

Up to 35,000 properties without power as storm hits Ireland

11:44 , Chiara Giordano

Up to 35,000 homes and businesses are without power in Ireland as gusts of more than 130km an hour (80mph) are expected to hit parts of the country.

Storm Barra has caused flooding in southern parts of the country, particularly in parts of County Cork, after making landfall this morning.

Schools, colleges and creches in some of the worst affected areas have been shut amid warnings that no part of the island will escape the effects of the storm.

Covid-19 test and vaccination centres will also remain closed in some parts of the country.

Latest satellite images show Storm Barra moving into UK

11:32 , Chiara Giordano

The satellite images in this graphic from the Irish Meteorological Service show how Storm Barra has edged across to the UK from Ireland throughout this morning.

Met Éireann has warned the impact of “severe, damaging winds as well as heavy rain” from the storm will be felt in Ireland until tomorrow.

Homes flooded as storm arrives in Bantry

11:11 , Chiara Giordano

Fire crews in Bantry, West Cork, spent the morning tackling floodwater this morning after about 20 properties were partially flooded at 6am, according to the Southern Star.

Images shared on Twitter by Bantry Fire Brigade show the extent of the flooding in Bantry town centre.

Flood warnings in place along south coast of England

10:41 , Chiara Giordano

The Environment Agency has five flood warnings in place, meaning flooding is expected.

They are along the south coast of England between Dorset and Hampshire, in Christchurch, Beaulieu, Fareham, and Langstone and Emsworth, and along the Essex coast at Coalhouse Fort.

There are more than 30 flood alerts also in place, meaning flooding is possible.

Northern Powergrid in ‘final push’ to restore power to final 500

10:20 , Chiara Giordano

There is expected to be further misery for homeowners still without power after Storm Barra's predecessor, Storm Arwen, left hundreds of households in the northeast of England without electricity.

Northern Powergrid said it was in “the final push” to reconnect the 500 customers who remained without power this morning.

The company elevated its alert status ahead of Storm Barra, which it feared could hamper progress for staff working in remote locations.

The firm said it had put its first responders on standby “ready to respond if necessary” as it monitors the storm’s progress.

Business secretary accused of ‘running away’ as thousands face 11th night without power

09:50 , Chiara Giordano

Labour’s Ed Miliband has accused the business secretary of “running away” from questions in the House of Commons as hundreds of people braced for an 11th night without power following Storm Arwen.

The shadow climate minister claimed people in Scotland and the north of England had been treated like “second class citizens”.

Laurie Churchman has more on this story:

Minister accused of ‘running away’ from MPs as thouands face 11th night without power

Sherkin Island records 70mph winds

09:31 , Chiara Giordano

Sherkin Island, off the coast of West Cork, recorded a gust of 113 km/h (70mph) at about 6am today, according to Met Éireann.

RNLI urges people to stay back from water’s edge as flood warnings issued

09:10 , Chiara Giordano

Wind gusts of up to 80mph are expected on the western and southern coasts of England and Wales, accompanied by large waves that carry a "small chance" of risk to life by throwing beach material onto sea front, coastal roads and properties, the Met Office has said.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has urged people to stay well back from the water's edge and to dial 999 for the coastguard in any coastal emergency.

The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings for England's south coast, as well as 34 flood alerts.

Schools in Ireland urged to remain closed amid red alert

08:53 , Chiara Giordano

Schools have been advised not to open today in parts of Ireland covered by red and orange weather warnings.

The country’s Department of Education said Met Éireann had advised there was a strong possibility the status of counties covered by the orange level warning was likely to change and escalate to status red.

The red warning has been issued for Cork, Kerry and Clare, while an orange warning is in place across Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo, Wexford, Dublin, Louth, Wicklow and Meath.

Similar advice has been given to all universities, colleges and further education facilities in the affected areas.

Isles of Scilly reports wind gust of 67mph

08:33 , Chiara Giordano

The Isles of Scilly off the Cornish coast has already reported a wind gust of 67mph a little earlier this morning, according to the Met Office.

Snow, rain and 80mph winds to batter UK amid ‘risk to life’ warning

08:13 , Chiara Giordano

The UK is braced for 80mph winds and heavy showers as Storm Barra makes landfall less than two weeks after Storm Arwen caused significant damage to parts of the country.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for swathes of the UK, including Northern Ireland, which is set to be battered by wind and rain before the low-pressure front sweeps into Great Britain.

Rory Sullivan has the full story:

Severe weather warnings in place as UK braced for Storm Barra’s 80mph winds

08:12 , Chiara Giordano

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live weather coverage as Storm Barra hits the UK and Ireland. We’ll be bringing rolling updates throughout the day.