Inhabitents of The Islands have battened down the hatches and secured all loose equipment this weekend in preparation for the first Autumn Gale.
Winds are currently (Friday lunchtime) gusting to thirty miles per hour in the Islands in a Southerly Direction as we prepare to bear the brunt of a strong SouthWesterly gale. Rain is forecast in prolonged spells over the weekend as frontal systems move over the Islands. The massive low-pressure system has tightly packed isobars over Scilly and Cornwall indicating very strong winds. The anti-cyclone is due to linger over West Britain for the next four to five days and we can expect rough sea conditions brought on by the prevailing winds and the Atlantic fetch.
Locals have been taking precautions against this annual unsettled spell of weather, boats have been brought in and sheds have been secured if they are in open spaces. Winds are expected to gust up to force 9 with a predominant force 7 to 8. All indications point to the fact that Porthcressa will be the bay most at risk of damage as it is open to the prevailing winds. Many fishermen have taken the precaution of bringing their lobster pots ashore in fear they would be lost.
This news is bad for bird watchers as well because it could see many species heading towards The Islands, blown off course. Previous damage to the Islands in Gales like this have included an incident when the police land rover turned over when passing the mermaid pub and a wave caught it. Also slates could be flying from roofs across the Islands. One local said “This is exactly the type of weather to spend in front of the telly with a warm scone and a mug of tea watching a good film”. One thing is for sure, this will be preferable to most as opposed to spending the weekend outside working.