- Oct 11, 2018
- 2 min read

The end of our 'Indian Summer' and now we face Storm Callum early hours in the morning

The third storm of the 18/19 season has been named. Storm Callum. It was only yesterday we all enjoyed the last of the 'Indian Summer' with temperatures as high as 23 degrees and the sun shining. We have now been told by the Met Office that Formby can expect severe gales and heavy rain.

The Formby market has been cancelled tomorrow, Friday 12th October due to high winds being forecast and look out for notifications regarding the Formby National Trust which will also have to close if the winds are too strong.

The main impacts for the UK will be from heavy rain across some western areas on Friday and Saturday. Yellow Met Office Weather Warnings for wind and rain are in force for Friday and Saturday.

High Tides at Formby tomorrow, Friday 12th October are expected to be over 9.0m at 13:43hrs and if the wind gets up with Storm Callum, tides will be much higher.

Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders, said: “Strong winds at this time of year can increase the rate of leaf fall which can potentially block drains or culverts and, with the heavy rainfall expected over Friday and Saturday, could well heighten the potential for flooding. There is also a risk that the high winds associated with Storm Callum, combined with high tides, may lead to some coastal impacts due to large waves.”

A Yellow Rain Warning is in place from 6am to midnight on Friday for heavy, slow moving, rain that could affect Formby and parts of North West England and Wales. Areas of high ground could see over 60 mm of rain in 12 hours with some exposed locations seeing as much as 100 mm by the end of the day. There is the potential for flooding in these areas.

The zone of heavy rain affecting England and Wales on Friday is expected to move slowly northwards on Saturday, when a further Yellow Weather Warning is in place. The focus of heaviest rainfall will remain across Wales, and move increasingly into parts of Scotland. Again, areas of high ground are expected to be most affected with the potential for a further 50-80 mm of rain quite widely.

Sioned Warrell, Natural Resources Wales Duty Tactical Manager, said: “The current forecasted rain could cause flooding this week, especially in south and west Wales, and we are urging people to prepare themselves."

“Making sure you know what the situation is like where you live is really important. You can check our website or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for any Flood Warnings that may be in place and keep an eye on weather reports and local news for details of any disruption in your area."

“Our teams are doing all they can to reduce the risk for communities, but if there is flooding we want to make sure people are doing all they can to keep themselves safe.”