Storm Franklin: Up to 14 inches SNOW to follow 87mph gales as Brits face more floods and travel chaos

UP to 14 inches of snow is set to fall in the wake of Storm Franklin’s 87mph gales.

As Brits brace for floods and travel disruptions, further “unsettled” weather is expected in the coming days.

RexThe high tide in conjunction with Storm Franklin’s high winds caused severe flooding as the River Thames burst its banks along Gravesend Riverside[/caption]

Jordan CrosbyHigh levels of water in York City Centre this evening[/caption]

wxchart.comWX Charts predicts up to 34cm (14 inches) of snow later in the week in the north[/caption]

Storm Franklin has hammered parts of the UK with strong winds and heavy rain.

The highest wind gust speeds on Monday morning reached 79mph in Capel Curig in Wales, and 78mph in Orlock Head, Northern Ireland.

On Sunday night, 87mph was recorded at the Needles on the Isle of Wight.

Now meteorologist Mark Wilson told The Sun Online the worst of Storm Franklin has passed but Brits can expect the temperatures to drop as the week goes on.

Wintry showers are expected in the north and northwest following Storm Franklin’s trail of destruction.

Mark said higher ground in Scotland could see “significant” snow accumulation but said levels should be on track for what’s common this time of year.

WX Charts predicts up to 34cm (14 inches) of snow later in the week in the north.

Another Met Office forecaster said told Brits across the country should prepare for the gloomy weather.

He said: “Monday has early snow crossing northern areas and gales.

“Tuesday to Thursday will be often windy, with a mix of rain, sleet and snow showers on Thursday.

“Gales or severe gales will be possible almost anywhere through the period to March 5, and especially in the North.

“The first half of March is likely to be a continuation of changeable conditions, with winds remaining strong across the North and southern areas less windy.”

AlamyAn uprooted tree which fell in the high winds generated by the storms in Singleton Park, Swansea[/caption]

Jordan CrosbyYork City Centre prepares for what is forecast to be recording breaking river levers[/caption]

Storm Franklin is the third named storm in a week – following Dudley and Eunice – the first time this has happened since the storm-naming system was introduced in 2015.

Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond from Weathertrending agreed it is likely more hostile conditions are on the way.

He said: “Storms can rear their heads at very short notice. There is potential for further disruptive wind and rain.”

Structures weakened by the three storms over the past week more susceptible to damage and transport operations have been seriously impacted.

Brits have been urged not to travel during Storm Franklin today as more than 400 homes were evacuated and train stations are left underwater.

A tornado warning is in place as the third devastating storm in just five days slammed into the UK overnight, bringing 87mph winds.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated in south Manchester after concerns the severe rainfall could cause endanger lives as the River Mersey swells.

The streets of Matlock in Derbyshire are flooded with more than a foot of water, with one local describing the town centre as a “river”.

James Heaton/News ImagesEmergency services on boats attend vehicles and properties on Barnsdale Road, Castleford[/caption]

PARotherham Central train station which remains closed due to flood water[/caption]

Hundreds of people have been evacuated in south Manchester after concerns the severe rainfall could cause endanger lives as the River Mersey swells.

The streets of Matlock in Derbyshire are flooded with more than a foot of water, with one local describing the town centre as a “river”.

The latest weather misery comes after ferocious Storm Eunice killed four people and plunged 1.3m homes into darkness on Friday, and Storm Dudley wrecked homes and cars last week.

A massive clean-up has begun today after Storm Eunice brought widespread damage, disruption and record-breaking 122mph gusts of wind to the UK – leading to the deaths of at least four people.

The treacherous conditions led to travel chaos, flight cancellations, power cuts and police forces being inundated with calls.

Local councillors have urged residents to stay at home today and avoid rail travel if possible – and say that even when services resume, there’ll be “major disruption” to routes “across most of Great Britain”.

Train networks were plagued by flying debris – and there was extensive damage to buildings and homes with the roof of the O2 ripped off.

Thousands of families across the UK remained without power today, days after Storm Eunice’s gale-force winds toppled power lines and cut off their supply.

In the village of Oldbury, in Kent’s Ightham, multiple households have been without electricity since Friday when high winds knocked over seven trees, which pulled down power lines.

The fallen trees are in the garden of David Thomas, 56, who said he, his wife and children heard an “enormous crash” at around 11am on Friday.

Energy crews in high-visibility jackets were working in Mr Thomas’s garden to cut up the uprooted trees and hoist the wires back up to reconnect them to the network. They expected power to be restored by the evening.

Mr Thomas said: “We always knew that, once they arrived, it would take two days.”

He said it was “a little bit frustrating” but “understandable” that the power company had prioritised getting the hundreds of houses in the village up and running before tackling their “isolated problem”.

He was glad the trees had not fallen towards the house.

“The power going out was awful for everybody but it’s better than the house being wrecked,” he said.

Tomorrow morning, a band of rain will progress south-eastwards across the UK, but becoming lighter and patchier as it does so.

The band of rain will clear away by the afternoon, leaving behind sunshine for most, but showers in the north-west, these falling wintry on the higher ground.

Terry HarrisSchool roof destroyed by Storm Eunice in Wisbech[/caption]

Huge waves battering the coastline in Aberystwyth, Wales

The prom of the seaside town has faced a deluge