Storm Eunice hit the UK today (18 February) bringing heavy rain and strong wind – and forecasters say another storm might be just around the corner .
Met Office forecasters issued a “danger to life” amber weather warning, which is currently in place for most parts of Lancashire
There is light at the end of the tunnel with the amber weather warning ending at 9pm and wind speeds are expected to die down temporarily.
- READ MORE: Storm Eunice: Blackburn with Darwen's hour-by-hour forecast
However, some forecasters have warned that the next storm, Franklin, may be just around the corner and could hit the region as soon as the weekend.
New yellow weather warnings for ice and wind have been issued over the weekend with the wind “strengthening again” on Sunday.
The weather warnings in place across Lancashire today and this weekend
A ‘danger to life’ amber weather warning for wind is in place across many parts of Lancashire today (18 February).
The warning covers most areas of Lancashire, including all coastal areas and western areas.
The East Lancashire towns of Blackburn and Darwen are also covered by the amber weather warning.
A yellow weather warning for wind and snow has been issued in Burnley, Pendle, Ribble Valley, Hyndburn and Rossendale; these areas are not currently included in the amber warning.
However, several new yellow weather warnings for ice and wind have also been issued across the region over the weekend.
On Saturday (19 February), a yellow weather warning for ice covers all parts of Lancashire and is in place from 6pm Friday until 9am Saturday
On Sunday, (20 February) a yellow weather warning for wind and rain is in place; the wind warning covers all coastal parts of Lancashire while the rain warning covers most eastern parts of the region.
The yellow weather warning for wind on Lancashire’s coast continues into Monday, with the warning in place until midday (21 February).
Wind speeds in Blackpool and other coastal areas, are expected to peak at 52mph on Sunday.
Do we know when Lancashire's bad weather will end?
Brighter days are on the horizon with sunny spells expected next week – although the gusty winds look set to remain for foreseeable future.
According to the Met Office’s long range forecast, the weather conditions are likely to be changeable and often unsettled across the north from now until March.
A spokesperson said: “Winds are also likely to be strong throughout the period, with gales or severe gales possible almost anywhere, but especially in the north.”
Looking further ahead into March, the Met Office predict “wintry conditions” in the region.
Winds are likely to remain strong across the north and northwest, with the southern areas seeing less windy conditions.
Temperatures are likely to be overall mild, with the northwest slightly closer to average
The seven day forecast for Blackburn with Darwen
Friday 18 February
Met Office forecasters have issued a “danger to life” amber weather warning for wind and a yellow warning for ice.
Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 7° and lows of 4 °.
Wind speeds could reach 64mph, peaking at 6pm.
Rain is expected until 4pm when it will be replaces by heavy cloud coverage.
Saturday 19 February
Yellow weather warning for ice in place until 9am.
Showers expected throughout the day.
Highs of 5° and lows of 3 °.
Wind speeds expected to reach 36mph at 3am and slowing as day progresses.
Sunday 20 February
Yellow weather warning for heavy rain in place from midnight until 6pm.
Wind speeds picking up again, peaking at 52mph at 3pm.
Highs of 10° and lows of 4 °.
Monday 21 February
Light showers changing to sunny spells in the afternoon.
Wind gusts expected to peak at 9am when they are forecast to reach 51mph.
Highs of 8° and lows of 3 °.
Tuesday 22 February
Overcast changing to light showers by late morning.
Maximum wind speeds of 41mph and temperatures will peak at 8 °.
Wednesday 23 February
Wednesday is currently looking to be the best day of the week and expected to be cloudy.
However, it will still be windy with gusts of 36mph expected.
Highs of 7° and lows of 4 °.
Thursday 23 February
Light rain is forecast for next Thursday and wind speeds could reach 42 mph.
Highs of 5° and lows of 3 ° are in the forecast.
Have you been impacted by the storm?
Have you cancelled plans? Have you seen any storm damage? Let us know.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here