Students braced for battering winds

Battering winds are to hit the University tomorrow, weather forecasters have warned.

Gusts of up to 80mph are due to hit campus throughout the early hours and into the morning with disruption to travel possible.

Meteorology agency the Met Office has issued an amber “be prepared” alert warning covering the University area between 2am and 4pm.

Temperatures across York are also expected to tumble, with a high of just 3 degrees expected on Friday as a cold front moves through.

Chief Forecaster Steve Willington said via the Met Office website:  “A rapidly deepening Atlantic depression is forecast to move east to the north of Scotland during Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

“This will bring westerly gales to northern and some central parts of the UK, which will veer northerly and temporarily bring much colder arctic air southwards across northern areas before easing into Friday.”

“The public should be prepared for significant disruption to travel.”

Travel services including the Unibus are expected to run as normal, but the Met Office has told individuals to remain alert at possible flying debris and to drive with care if they are on the roads.

Academic Registrar David Duncan called on students to seek assistance from the reception desk if they are concerned. He told Vision: “Staff and students should certainly be mindful of high winds.

“We will have a full complement of porters and security officers on campus, and anyone who is concerned or who needs assistance should call security or ask at the nearest reception desk.

“In terms of the potential impact of high winds on the estate, we regularly survey the trees on campus to ensure any branches that might be susceptible to wind damage are removed.

“Temporary structures such as scaffolding are also a potential risk, but there are no major scaffolding arrays on campus at present.  Routine patrols will keep an eye on areas of temporary fencing and the minor scaffolding structures on site.

“If there is any movement we will take the necessary actions to make them safe.”