Gales of up to 78 mph force park and transport closures as Met Office issues UK-wide yellow warning

Storm-strength winds with gusts up to 78 mph battered parts of Britain on Monday, forcing the temporary closure of bridges, parks and zoos and leaving at least 150 homes without power as the Met Office issued a yellow wind warning covering most of England and Wales.

The warning, which the Met Office said came into force at 8 p.m. on Sunday and runs until 6 p.m. on Monday, prompted authorities to close the M48 Severn Bridge in both directions and to restrict high-sided vehicles from using the A628 Woodhead Pass in the Peak District. Railway services were disrupted after fallen trees and debris blocked lines on several routes, including the Southeastern line between Dartford and Hither Green, the Transport for Wales line between Tondu and Maesteg, and the South Western Railway line between Hamble and Bursledon. The Transport for Wales service between Swansea and Llanwrtyd in Powys was suspended for the whole day with buses replacing trains.

The highest gusts recorded overnight were 78 mph at the Needles on the Isle of Wight and 66 mph at Aberdaron in Gwynedd, North Wales. In Chagford, Devon, around 150 properties experienced short-term power loss after strong winds spread inland from the South West.

Public attractions and green spaces also closed as a precaution. Kew Gardens in London announced it would shut from 1 p.m., while Whipsnade Zoo and Dartmoor Zoo remained closed for the day. Royal Parks said vulnerable areas of its sites were closed, including the children's playground at Hyde Park, and advised visitors not to shelter under trees. Several National Trust sites, woodland areas and the Hampstead Heath bathing ponds were closed because of the conditions.

Met Office forecasters warned those within the yellow warning area were likely to experience gusts of 45 to 55 mph, with exposed locations seeing up to about 70 mph. Forecasters said large waves could affect coastal areas and that short-term power interruptions were possible. The winds were expected to ease slowly from the west later on Monday.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said impacts were likely to be "low in general" but that brief power interruptions and travel disruption were possible during the Monday morning peak. "It will be quite a windy start to the week. Gales certainly possible for many parts of England and Wales, perhaps even severe gales on Irish Sea coasts," he said, adding that the strongest winds were expected for west Wales and northwest England on Monday morning.

Officials urged the public to secure loose items in gardens and on property, to check for travel delays and road closures, and to take care in coastal areas. Transport operators advised passengers to expect disruption and to consult service updates before travelling.

The Met Office said this system had not met the criteria to be named, although the first named storm of the season will be called Storm Amy when it meets naming thresholds. Forecasters warned conditions would remain changeable through the week, with further periods of wind and rain likely. They also noted that recent wet weather had left the ground saturated in places, increasing the potential for surface water and localized flooding if further heavy rain occurs later in the week.

Local authorities and transport agencies continued to monitor conditions and reinstate services where it was safe to do so. Emergency responders and power companies were deployed to deal with fallen trees and restore isolated outages, and further updates were expected as winds ease and crews complete damage assessments.