The AA has issued a warning to drivers as Storm Chandra batters Northern Ireland today, with the Met Office issuing a series of weather warnings
The UK is bracing itself for more severe weather this week as Storm Chandra arrives. The weather system, expected to peak today (Tuesday, January 27), has already made its presence felt, with the Met Office issuing multiple amber and yellow weather warnings. Schools across Northern Ireland have shut due to the high winds and heavy rain.
And the adverse conditions bring with them a risk for motorists on the road. Strong winds, especially sudden and powerful gusts, can affect a vehicle’s stability and movement on the road and through the air. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure your car is as resistant to wind as possible.
With this in mind, the AA has issued guidance for drivers to help them stay safe, including advice on what items to leave behind. This includes roof boxes, the convenient storage units that people attach to the top of their vehicles.
In their advice on driving in windy conditions, the AA stated: “Leave the roof box at home. A roof box can increase the impact of crosswinds on your vehicle.”
They also outlined why wind poses a problem and how its effects vary depending on the type of road being used. They stated: “Wind is worse on exposed stretches of road or when passing high-sided vehicles.
“Sudden gusts of wind are likely when passing tall buildings in urban areas. Keep your speed down –when travelling fast, strong gusts will blow you further off course.
“Overtaking can be dangerous in strong winds, as there may be a sudden gust as you pass a large vehicle (which could cause it to veer into you).”
High-level amber weather warnings are currently in place for counties Antrim, Derry and Down, specifically focusing on severe wind risks expected between 5am and 9pm today.
Wind gusts are projected to reach between 60mph and 70mph across northern and eastern regions, with some coastal spots hitting 75mph. While winds may dip slightly in the early afternoon, they are expected to ramp back up to peak speeds by the evening.
Much of the region will see up to 30mm of rain, though high ground in the east could be hit with as much as 70mm. Because the ground is already saturated, there is a significant risk of localised flooding as the rain moves through.
