Midlands braced for 80mph winds

Jan 17 2007 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

FAMILIES are being warned to brace themselves as forecasters warn the Midlands could be battered by gales of up to 80 miles an hour tomorrow.

Severe weather warnings have been issued and experts from the Met Office are urging people to be careful on the roads and motorways - saying drivers could face perilous conditions.

"There is likely to be heavy, gusty winds tomorrow in Birmingham and the Midlands between 70mph and 80mph," warned Nick Ricketts, national forecaster for the Met Office.

"It is likely to result in quite dangerous and hazardous conditions, especially for vehicles on roads and motorways, we would urge people to take extra care."

Showers will also move into the region tomorrow, although forecasters predict fewer spells of rain than in recent days.

He said winds should ease tomorrow afternoon and overnight, with Friday seeing much lighter "fresh" winds, as well as a lot of drizzle and mild temperatures. Rain was due to die out later today.

Today's maximum temperatures were likely to be around 7C.

But he warned that temperatures could plummet over the weekend, struggling to reach 4C, with widespread overnight frost and night-time conditions likely to be little over freezing point.

"The cloud should clear and Sunday should be a lovely day after showers in the morning ease away to make way for some winter sunshine," added Mr Ricketts.