UK weather: amber wind alert lifted as Storm Dave eases
Storm Dave is moving away to the north-east on Easter Sunday, and the Met Office says many of us will see sunshine and showers. Overnight, the amber wind alert covering northern England, north-west Wales and southern Scotland was lifted at 03:00 BST. Yellow warnings remain in some areas until midday.
Let’s decode the Met Office colour system we all see on maps. It blends how severe the impacts could be with how likely they are. Amber signals a higher chance of significant impacts - including a risk to life from flying debris, big waves and falling trees - and asks you to change plans. Yellow means disruption is possible; stay aware, check updates and plan ahead.
Where conditions are still challenging this morning, forecasters expect strong winds across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, with showers in the North described as particularly heavy and blustery. Further south there will be brighter moments between showers, though it will feel cooler than on Saturday.
Travel is still feeling it across the long weekend. The Met Office and transport operators warn of disruption on roads, ferries, rail and flights. In western Scotland on Saturday some ferry services were cancelled or amended during spells of rain, sleet and hill snow. ScotRail asked passengers to check journeys before travelling, and Highlands and Islands Airports said flights could be affected.
In England, National Highways urged people to plan routes in advance, while the RAC advised extra care on exposed, higher roads. Holiday sites in Wales reported cancelled stays as gusts reached 66mph in Capel Curig in the north, and the Met Office noted that coastal spots inside the earlier amber zone could have seen gusts approaching 80mph before the warning expired at 03:00 BST.
The mix hasn’t just been wind. Under a separate yellow warning, the Met Office said up to 30cm of snow was possible in some areas, with rain, sleet and hill snow reported on Saturday afternoon. In Northern Ireland, where a yellow alert was in place until 03:00 on Sunday, some councils closed facilities and asked visitors to avoid parks and nature reserves.
Power companies have been bracing too. The Energy Networks Association, which represents the electricity network operators, warned that strong winds could hit local infrastructure, increasing the risk of power cuts and fallen lines. Operators said they had increased staffing and pre-positioned kit for the hardest-hit areas; if you come across a damaged line, keep well back and contact your network operator.
If you’re heading out, a quick decision tree helps. Do you really need to travel? If yes, can you shift the time to miss the windiest spells? Check operator apps before you leave and again at the station, port or gate. On the road, choose sheltered routes where possible and expect slower travel in squally showers.
Remember that the warning colour is only the headline. Always read the detail - which hazard is flagged, the map area, and the start and end times. That’s the information that tells you whether to delay, reroute or simply carry on with extra care.
The outlook turns brighter. After a chilly start on Monday, temperatures should lift to around 10–15C with sunny spells for many. By Tuesday, 20C looks possible in parts of England and Wales. As Storm Dave fades, we’ll keep focusing on clear, practical guidance so you can make safe, confident choices.