Storm Chandra is due to hit large swathes of the UK with high winds and heavy rain tomorrow, potentially resulting in disruption on the roads and railway lines.
As well as watching out for heavy rain and high winds, drivers also have to be careful of their behaviour. This not only includes preparing their car appropriately, but behaving slightly differently to accommodate the different driving conditions.
According to the AA, this means avoiding doing something that people can legally do in the UK in certain circumstances, but which they suggest reconsidering during a storm.
The problem lies around overtaking. In their list of tips on how to drive in wind, they recommend avoiding overtaking in case a sudden gust blows one vehicle into a another.
They explained: “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 suggested keeping one’s car distant from others and avoiding the towing of caravans or horse boxes. They added: “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 issued yellow and amber warnings for the UK, also warned drivers to be wary of other road users more vulnerable to sudden gusts than themselves.
They said: “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 warnings issued by the Met Office ahead of Storm Chandra mainly affect 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.”
