Storm Chandra is set to hit Wales and the south west with high winds and heavy rain, prompting the AA to warn drivers against making one manoeuvre due to dangerous gusts over the next 24 hours
Storm Chandra is set to batter large parts of the UK with strong winds and torrential rain tomorrow, potentially causing disruption to roads and rail services.
Beyond monitoring severe weather and powerful gusts, motorists must also be mindful of their conduct. This encompasses not just preparing their vehicle properly, but also adjusting their driving behaviour to suit the challenging conditions.
According to the AA, this involves reconsidering something that’s legally permitted in the UK under certain circumstances, but which they advise against during stormy weather.
The issue concerns overtaking. In their guidance on driving in windy conditions, they recommend avoiding overtaking due to the risk of sudden gusts pushing one vehicle into another.
They stated: “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).”
The AA also advised maintaining distance from other vehicles and steering clear of towing caravans or horse boxes.
They continued: “Keep your distance from other vehicles, especially high-sided vehicles and caravans. High-sided trailers like caravans or horseboxes can be dangerous to tow in windy conditions.”
Meanwhile, the Met Office, which has issued yellow and amber warnings across the UK, also cautioned drivers to remain alert to other road users who may be more susceptible to sudden gusts than themselves.
They stated: “Remember to give vulnerable road users including cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians more room than usual. They are more likely to be blown around by side winds – always keep a safe distance.”
The weather alerts issued by the Met Office ahead of Storm Chandra primarily impact Wales and English counties in the south west such as Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset.
In a statement naming the storm and providing guidance, the Met Office said: “Gusts of 60-70mph are likely widely within the Amber warning area, with 75mph gusts possible in coastal locations.
“Easterly winds of this strength are unusual and are likely to be impactful. A separate Yellow warning covers Cornwall, southwestern Wales and parts of northern Devon.
“An Amber warning for rain has been issued for south Devon, much of Dorset, southern Somerset and southeast Cornwall where 30-50mm of rain could fall widely, with up to 60-80mm over higher ground of south Dartmoor.”
