PHOTOS: 100 mph storm hits Britain

Britain was today experiencing a ‘Wild Wednesday’ of severe storms and rising water levels, with no prospect of an end to the misery in sight.

The Met Office has issued a red weather warning - the most severe level of threat - for ‘exceptionally strong winds’ of up to 100mph.

The rare alert, which was last issued 13 months ago, is in place for western parts of Wales and some north-western parts of England this evening.


The last red alert overall was issued in January 2013 for snow in the Welsh valleys, but the last red wind alert was in January 2012 for western Scotland.

Just 10 red alerts for all types of weather have been issued since the Met Office warnings system was revamped three years ago in April 2011.

A wind gust of 110mph was recorded today from a ship south of Ireland, while on land 92mph was observed at Mumbles Head at Swansea Bay in Wales.

The Thames is predicted to rise to its highest level in more than 60 years in some places, and coastal areas could also be battered by large waves.

It comes as these flood and weather warning maps show the true extent of severe weather that has already struck Britain - and what is still to come.