Storm Freya to lash western Europe with rain and wind into Monday
It was a lovely scene across the skies of LEHTOJARVI, LAPLAND, FINLAND, on March 1, as the Northern Lights danced across the night sky.
A potent storm will track through much of western Europe bringing wind-driven rain into Monday. Even more storminess could be on the way for the rest of the week.
On the heels of a storm that brought heavy rain and strong winds to the United Kingdom on Saturday, another storm will track across Britain and into the North Sea through Monday, spreading the threat for rain and damaging wind across Wales, England and much of Northwest Europe.
Storm Freya has already spread rain and wind across the United Kingdom. On Saturday afternoon, winds gusted to 61 mph (98 km/h) near Helston in southwestern England and to 65 mph (105 km/h) in Pembrey Sands, Wales.
As Freya continues to move eastward, winds will increase across northern France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark and persist through much of the day on Monday.
"The highest wind gusts from into Monday are expected to shift across northern France, northwestern Germany, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. Peak wind gusts will largely be in the 50- to 65-mph (80- to 105-km/h) range," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson.
Across northwest Europe, an AccuWeather Local StormMax&trade of 75 mph (120 km/h) is possible with Freya, especially in windward locations on the coast and in the higher elevations.
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Wind gusts of this intensity will have the potential to bring down trees and cause power outages. Transportation delays are also possible.
“Those planning to travel across the English Channel by ferry should prepare for delays due to strong winds and rough seas,” AccuWeather meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
Storm Freya will stir up the North Sea and could have impacts downstream into Denmark and Germany, especially along west-facing shores.
“Flooding in Hamburg along the Elbe River will be a concern on Monday as strong westerly winds push water from the North Sea eastward toward the city,” Roys said.
After a brief break with scattered showers and less wind on Tuesday, yet another storm will move into the British Isles on Tuesday night. It is expected to follow a similar track northeastward into the North Sea from Wednesday night into Thursday, though it may not be as intense as Freya.
The same areas impacted by Freya into Monday will likely have more rain and wind by midweek. Wind gusts to 50 mph (80 km/h) are possible.
Between the two storms, rainfall amounts from southern Britain into France, Germany and Denmark will mostly be between 1 and 3 inches (25 and 75 mm), with locally higher amounts possible. The heaviest rain will fall across the higher elevations.
While this rain will be spread out over a period of several days, some localized flooding is possible, especially in areas of poor drainage.
The stormy pattern may continue through the end of this week, with the potential for more possible windstorms.
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