Storm Francis: 2 windstorms strike UK during August for first time in 30 years

On the heels of Storm Ellen, Storm Francis targeted the British Isles on Tuesday.

AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said, "This is the first time in 30 years that two windstorms hit the United Kingdom during August."

It is more typical for windstorms such as these to affect Europe from midautumn through midspring, rather than during the summer.

Francis strengthened on Monday as it raced across the North Atlantic toward the British Isles.

Storm Francis was nearly as intense as Storm Ellen that caused damage across Ireland and the U.K. less than a week ago. According to The Met Office, a wind gust to 81 mph (130 km/h) was recorded at Needles on the Isle of Wight on Tuesday. A wind gust to 75 mph (121 km/h) at Lake Vyrnwy tied the recored for the strongest August wind in Wales.

The BBC reports that there were 80 evacuations across North Wales Tuesday night where 104 mm (about 4 inches) of rain fell.

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After impacting the British Isles, Storm Francis is will then target areas from the Low Countries to northern Germany on Wednesday with wind gusts as high as 50-60 mph (80-97 km/h).

While these areas are not expected to have the same magnitude of rain and wind as the U.K. and Ireland, Roys still expects the wind to cause travel delays and isolated damage, along with power cuts.

"Given the time of year and leaves still on trees, there is a greater threat of tree damage and damage to properties as a result of downed trees and branches," Roys explained.

Rainfall across northern Germany should not lead to many flooding issues, though it can still slow travel and lead to delays.

By Thursday, the storm will cause strong wind gusts across Poland. However, winds here are expected to be more of an inconvenience rather than damaging.

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