Storm Gerrit

• severe winds and heavy rain 27-18 December 2023
• yellow warning issued for wind and for snow
• wind gust speeds >80 mph in northern Scotland and north Wales
• large area of flooding across Scotland
• mini tornado in Manchester
• contributed to wet conditions and flooding through December
• Dec 27 12 om - west of Scotland and near Scotland by Dec 28 12 am
• tight pressure gradient - close isobars - around the low-pressure centre (975/972 hPa) extending across the UK
• fronts bringing heavy rain
• extensive clouds from cold front across the entire UK and over France
• rain radar shows heavy rainfall (snow) over much of the UK - SW England to N Scotland and another band over N Ireland
• rain radar shows intense rainfall >32 mm/h over s Pennines and Manchester
• peak wind >70 knots at several stations. wind gusts were high for a sustained period - between 27-29 Dec
• rainfall totals most areas 30-50 mm but elevated areas > 100 mm
• Severe Rail and road disruption in Xmas hols e.g. East Main line closed North of Newcastle; A9 closed, A90 closed- all roads between North and South Scotland with closures
• Due to flooding, landslides, fallen trees
• > 16, 000 homes in North Scotland without power
• ~100 homes damaged due to local tornado near Manchester