The storm set to blast Blackpool - and the rest of the UK - this weekend has been named by the Met Office

The storm set to blast the Fylde coast – and the rest of the country – has been named by the Met Office.
By Michael Holmes
Published 5th Feb 2020, 12:32 BST
Updated 5th Feb 2020, 13:08 BST
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Storm Ciara is expected to bring winds of up to 80mph, with a yellow severe weather warning issued by the forecaster.

In place from 6pm from Saturday and all day Sunday, it warns of disruption that may affect some power supplies and transport services.

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Neil Armstrong, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “An extremely strong jet stream flowing from North America will be steering a succession of low-pressure systems towards the UK at least into the middle of next week.

A man with an umbrella walks across Blackpool's Comedy Carpet in April 2018 (Picture: Daniel Martino for JPIMedia)A man with an umbrella walks across Blackpool's Comedy Carpet in April 2018 (Picture: Daniel Martino for JPIMedia)
A man with an umbrella walks across Blackpool's Comedy Carpet in April 2018 (Picture: Daniel Martino for JPIMedia)

“The relative predictability of this pattern has provided an early warning and has given us the certainty to be able to name this storm four days ahead.”

The Met Office today said it was predicting heavy rain to fall in Blackpool on Saturday night, with winds blowing at around 41mph.

Rain will continue into the Sunday, the forecast added, with wind gusts peaking at around 3pm at around 62mph.

Next week should also be blustery, with the Met Office braced to issue further weather warnings.

Storm Ciara is the third named storm of the season, which started in September.

Related topics:Met OfficeFyldeBlackpool