The final day of the Royal Cornwall Show has been cancelled after the Met Office issued a yellow wind warning, with gusts of up to 55mph set to batter the south coast. Organisers said the decision was taken with “great regret” following a “thorough assessment of forecast weather conditions”.
The warning, in place from 9am to 7pm on Saturday, covers the south west and parts of the south east, stretching from Cornwall through to Sussex. Forecasters warned of power outages and travel disruption as “unseasonably strong winds” sweep across the region.
“Met Office issues yellow warning as up to 55mph winds lash south coast, cancelling Royal Cornwall Show final day”
A Met Office spokesperson said: “Following wet and windy conditions overnight, a second spell of strong southwest to westerly winds is expected to arrive across western Cornwall during Saturday morning. These will steadily move eastwards across Cornwall, English Channel coastal districts, and the Isle of Wight, reaching Sussex by mid-afternoon. Winds will then begin to ease from the west.”
Gusts of 45-50mph are likely widely along coasts and across Cornwall, potentially reaching 55mph in exposed spots. Coastal residents have been cautioned about large waves caused by the winds. The spokesperson added that “some disruption to weekend activities and events is possible, alongside a risk of power outages and some low level travel disruption.”
The weather is part of a more unsettled pattern for the weekend, as a band of low pressure moves across the UK. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Chris Bulmer said: “Over the next few days we’ll continue to see a fairly changeable picture, with a mix of sunshine and showers for many. Into the weekend, a more organised area of rain and stronger winds will move across the UK, although this system is likely to weaken as it does so.”
Temperatures are expected to fall below average for May, with conditions feeling “rather cool”. The blustery weather follows a bank holiday heatwave that saw temperatures reach 35.1C. For now, the south coast braces for gusts that threaten to upend weekend plans.