Storm Dave has caused widespread disruption across Wales and Northern Ireland, leaving numerous households without electricity and significantly impacting road and rail travel throughout the UK. The high wind and snow alerts were officially lifted on Sunday morning.
Capel Curig in north Wales experienced wind gusts reaching 93 mph, exceeding predictions by 20 mph. On Saturday, the Met Office issued a yellow severe weather warning for heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions affecting the Scottish Highlands, Argyll, and the Western Isles.
Train and ferry operations in both Scotland and Northern Ireland faced cancellations, and Dublin Airport in Ireland scrapped 17 flights as pilots encountered difficulties landing due to the gusty weather.
In Northern Ireland, around 2,000 homes in County Armagh and County Down suffered power outages due to the strong winds, while Wales saw Glynneath and Abergavenny among the areas most affected by power disruptions.
Power services have largely been restored, with an amber wind warning for parts of northern England, north-west Wales, and southern Scotland being revoked at 3 a.m. Later in the morning, three yellow warnings for various regions in northern England, Scotland, and Wales were also lifted as the storm moved out into the North Sea.
The Met Office’s Easter Sunday forecast indicated, “Storm Dave will move northeast on Sunday morning, leaving clearer skies and widespread showers across the UK.” It noted that northern regions would experience the most intense and blustery showers, with temperatures elsewhere remaining close to the early April average.
Flood warnings and alerts continue to be in effect throughout the country, with four coastal flood warnings and 32 flood alerts in England, 12 flood warnings and eight alerts in Scotland, and eight flood warnings in Wales.
ScotRail announced that emergency speed restrictions would still be in place across parts of its rail network on Sunday, leading to longer travel durations. Meanwhile, Network Rail Manchester reported the implementation of bus replacement services between Manchester Piccadilly and Chester due to the adverse overnight weather.
Traffic restrictions remain in effect on several bridges, including Edinburgh’s Forth Road Bridge. However, the Humber Bridge in Yorkshire has reopened following its temporary closure overnight.
In Northern Ireland, some local council facilities are still closed, and the public is advised to avoid parks and nature reserves for safety reasons.
According to Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst, temperatures are anticipated to rise following Easter Monday as warmer air moves in from Europe, with expected highs reaching the low 20s Celsius (around 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday and potentially reaching 23 to 24 degrees Celsius by Wednesday.
