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Issued: 2030hrs Wednesday 20th September 2006
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

Ex-Gordon may have a sting in his tale

Just wanted to give you a heads-up about a potentially severe weather situation which is developing for Friday.

The area of low pressure, which is the remnants of Hurricane Gordon is forecast to be off the southern coasts of Ireland at midday. Nothing unusual here you might say, but Gordon could be harbouring a surprise.

The "sting jet" can occur in such systems. Developing in levels high up in the atmosphere, a jet stream descends to Earth, increases in density and can cause severe winds at the surface. I am looking at the situation for Friday and very carefully watching developments over southwest England. The American GFS model has not picked up on this, but the British met Office model has.

Should the sting jet occur thee could be winds in excess of 70mph through Cornwall, Devon and south Wales on Friday. Please monitor forecasts closely.
Simon