Following the destructive impact of Storm Éowyn, the UK is experiencing further weather disruption as Storm Herminia brings high winds and heavy rainfall.
While not officially named a storm by the UK Met Office, Herminia, named by the Spanish meteorological agency Aemet, is causing significant localized impacts.
Herminia’s arrival has prompted yellow weather warnings for wind and rain across much of England, with similar forecasts for Northern Ireland, Wales, and southern Scotland extending into Monday.
The strongest winds are concentrated in southern and western regions of the UK, areas that were relatively less affected by Éowyn.
Power outages have affected thousands of properties, particularly in Devon and Cornwall, accompanied by reports of flooding and fallen trees obstructing roads.
Coastal areas are facing hazardous conditions due to large waves, with residents advised to stay away from the shoreline.Dozens of flood warnings and alerts are in effect across southern and central England.
Transportation has been disrupted, with a rail line between Par and Newquay in Cornwall temporarily closed due to flooding, causing train cancellations before service resumed.
Some flights from Cornwall Airport Newquay and Exeter Airport have experienced delays, cancellations, or diversions.
Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 70 mph along exposed coasts and 50 mph inland. Berry Head, in Devon, recorded gusts of 83 mph on Sunday morning, with the possibility of even stronger gusts moving northwards overnight into Monday.
Rainfall of 10-20mm is expected across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and southern Scotland, exacerbating flood risks in already saturated ground, especially in southern England, Wales, and the Midlands, still recovering from Éowyn.
Herminia’s effects were also felt in Spain and France, where it originated, causing heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding. While Herminia’s impact on the UK is less severe than Éowyn, it follows a period of significant weather disruption.
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Éowyn, described by the Met Office as potentially the strongest storm in at least a decade, brought widespread devastation, including two fatalities caused by falling trees.
The storm also resulted in nearly a million properties across the British Isles losing power and caused widespread damage to infrastructure.
Thousands of properties remained without power on Sunday as recovery efforts continued. Éowyn’s severity was marked by the issuance of rare red weather warnings.
