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Britain was under strong wind warnings, including a tornado watch, as a winter storm swept over the country on Sunday, bringing potential \u201cdanger to life\u201d in some areas, the authorities said.<\/p>\n
The Meteorological Office, Britain\u2019s national weather service, issued a rarely used warning concerning the storm, Isha. Wind gusts between 59 and 79 miles per hour and possibly 90 m.p.h. were forecast for Sunday afternoon and Monday across Britain, including in Capel Curig in Wales and Killowen in Ireland, the weather office said.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt is rather unusual in bringing impacts to most of the U.K.,\u201d Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the weather service, also known as the Met Office, said.<\/p>\n Several parts of Britain had recorded winds in excess of 60 m.p.h. on Sunday and the strong winds were expected to continue overnight, he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIn part, this system has been invigorated by the cold plunge in the east of North America,\u201d said Mr. Madge, adding that the weather pattern \u201chas created a very strong jet, which is helping and propel areas of low pressure, such as Storm Isha, across the North Atlantic.\u201d<\/p>\n Strong winds were also expected on Tuesday evening and Wednesday, and could generate conditions for possible disruptions to travel.<\/p>\n \u201cSome damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen,\u201d the weather office said on Sunday, adding that power outages and cellphone interruptions could result from the conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cInjuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties,\u201d the Met Office said.<\/p>\n The yellow weather warning issued for Isha is used when people are at risk from certain weather because of their location or activity, and it advises the public \u201cto take preventative action,\u201d according to the meteorological office\u2019s website.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Met \u00c9ireann, Ireland\u2019s meteorological service, also issued amber wind warnings<\/a> for Sunday and Monday, with a status red storm warning covering coastal areas in the north of the country.<\/p>\n The service said that the storm was bringing \u201cvery strong\u201d and \u201cgusty southwesterly winds countrywide with strong gales\u201d as well as high waves along coasts.<\/p>\n The service also said<\/a> that \u201ca status red severe weather warning is rarely issued but when it is, people in the areas expected to be affected should take action to protect themselves and\/or their properties.\u201d<\/p>\n The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation, which tracks severe weather, issued a tornado watch<\/a> in Ireland and parts of northern Britain as the storm trekked across the region on Sunday.<\/p>\n The stormy weather could also cause some roads and bridges to close and affect road, train, air and ferry services, the authorities said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Because of the weather conditions, Network Rail Scotland suspended service on Sunday and lines were to remain closed on Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cOur weather specialists confirm the forecast has worsened, with a high likelihood of damage to Scotland\u2019s Railway,\u201d the service said on Sunday.<\/a> \u201cThis decision has been made to keep passengers and our people safe.\u201d<\/p>\n More than 5,600 homes were without power on Sunday evening in Britain and Wales, according to the National Grid<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Met Office urged residents to check for loose items outside their homes, such as bins, planted pots and garden furniture, and to bring them inside or secure them in place.<\/p>\n While tornadoes are not unusual in Britain \u2014 about 30 are reported each year \u2014 they often land in sparsely populated areas or are short-lived and cause little to no damage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n