Winds of up to 80mph set to batter Lancashire this Boxing Day as weather warning issued

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for Lancashire, forecasting winds of up to 80mph on Boxing Day.
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The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of wind from 3pm on Saturday 26 until midday on Sunday, December 27.

Gale force winds, including gusts of up to 80mph, have been predicted for most of the county, which may lead to disruption to transport and utilities.

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The strong winds may also be accompanied by a period of heavy rain affecting western and southern areas, the weather experts added.

Meteorologists have warned the extreme weather may result in "injuries and danger to life" due to large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

The whole of the county is covered by the warning, including Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster, Pendle, Hyndburn, Blackburn with Darwen, Ribble Valley, Wyre, Fylde, West Lancashire and Rossendale.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "An area of strong southwesterly winds will develop across parts of northern England and the far south of Scotland on Saturday afternoon, before transferring southeastwards across the rest of England and Wales into Sunday morning, clearing by early Sunday afternoon.

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"Inland gusts of 50-60 mph are likely, with the potential for 60-70 mph in some locations. Hills and coasts exposed to the southwesterly winds could see gusts of 70-80 mph.

Meteorologists have warned the extreme weather may result in "injuries and danger to life" due to large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts.Meteorologists have warned the extreme weather may result in "injuries and danger to life" due to large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts.
Meteorologists have warned the extreme weather may result in "injuries and danger to life" due to large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts.

"In addition to the strong winds, a period of heavy, squally rain will affect western and southern areas. Combined with strong winds, the rain will lead to some hazardous travelling conditions."

Here's what the Met Office says to expect:

- Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible

- Some roads and bridges may close

- Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage

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- Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties

- Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen

Here is the full Met Office weather forecast for Lancashire:

Today (December 23):

A wet day with outbreaks of rain turning heavy and persistent across the region. Northern parts will see the heaviest of the rain in the morning, pushing south later. Feeling unpleasant with winds strengthening. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

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Rain will continue through the evening, clearing up during the night. Mostly cloudy with some clear spells for the western parts of the region. Remaining cold and windy. Minimum temperature -2 °C.

Thursday (December 24):

A dry and mostly bright day for Christmas Eve, lots of sunny spells.

A few clouds developing for the eastern parts during the afternoon.

Colder than recently, then frosty overnight. Maximum temperature 5 °C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday (December 25 - 27):

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Cloudy with a few showers on Christmas Day, further rain to arrive through the night.

Further rain, heavy at times on Boxing Day and Sunday. Snow likely across high ground.

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