Bleak Friday: Snow and 70mph winds set to batter Britain as Storm Clodagh strikes

Hot on the heels of Abigail and Barney, Clodagh has already caused flooding in Cumbria.

Storm Clodagh is set to sweep across Britain

FLOODS have already hit Northern England as Britain’s third named storm, Clodagh, sweeps through the country.
A two-day 70mph tempest is set to sweep the UK this weekend commencing two weeks of winter storms, downpours and snow flurries.Cumbria has already been struck by flooding with pictures showing cars splashing through water in the road.
Clodagh follows Abigail and Barney as the met office make their way through the alphabet, naming storms that risk causing damage to buildings.

The Met Office said: “Storm Clodagh will become the third storm named by the Met Office.”

Regular gales and hill snow have also been forecast due to “Atlantic systems” until December 9 as Ladbrookes slash the odds on a white Christmas down to 4/1 in London.

The bookies are also offering 7/2 on this winter being the coldest ever after it was revealed that New Year could be as cold as -14C.

A Met Office forecaster said: “It will be very windy, especially on Sunday. “Monday looks like hill snow in the North and a windy day, with a risk of gales.

“Northern areas are likely to bear the brunt, with the strongest winds, heaviest rain as well as sleet or hill snow.

“Temperatures will feel colder due to the strength of the wind.” Forecasters have blamed the El Nino weather event in the Pacific Ocean for freezing weather as in the past its bitter easterly winds have helped contribute to the big freeze of 2010 which saw temperatures drop as low as -21.3C in the Scottish Highlands.