That did seem strange. I've just come from looking at the Met Office forecast rainfall radar in it shows a classic 'Manchester snow hole'. Just as I would expect under these conditions.

I have relatives and extended family in Falmouth too, so this is on my radar, as obviously there is concern, however, they've always been there so should be completely savvy about keeping safe under these circumstances. I'm sure I'll be getting a message later from one of my Aunts or cousins telling me how it's "blowing a hoolie" down there.

I'm sure (I hope) that your daughter will be safe and that her and her housemates will be avoiding the beaches/coast for the duration. It's a real case of hunker down and make sure you have candles, batteries, fully charged power banks/phones and blankets, in case the power goes out.

Wind already blowing strong, pressure has dropped 19mb in 6 hours now 985mb

Did you get the phone alert?

Areal coverage of Amber upgrades being considered based on latest synoptics and track projection (which is clearly some 20-30 miles North of UKV’s and 50-60 miles north of Aperge’s 15Z projections). Trace the max gusts modelled and you can see how the far South is now in play (accepting the central pressure is some 4mb higher than modelled but this isn’t going to make much difference).

Andrew

Par

I would say the latter if both come off. Much more of the population would be affected by the snow as they commute home.

All the schools and offices have closed. Cornwall is used to wind ..just not horrible gusty back edge NWwinds.

Although it's still heavy rain here.

She (daughter) is playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

I have just had a Discord reply "didn't hear anything"

But it's valid from 1600 hours. 

It’s actually not that similar to 1987. That storm swung in from the SW and took a turn left unexpectedly before landfall. This system is on a more or less W to E track across the south with landfall around N Cornish coast,  but any tweak to the left will bring more areas into play from the severe gale corridor on its SW flank.

My sister lives in Falmouth - she's used to a storm but said the mood down there feels different this time with everything closing early.

This reflects the wording in the Red warning of ‘rapid increase in winds’. The Channel Islands and the Brest Peninsula look right under the gun.

Have to say, looking at the forecasts via the MetO raw, one of the things that really stands out is the gust ratio. Normally in our SW'lies you might expect a 2x ratio, i.e. 20 to 40, but they look much higher in that NW'ly blast in the far SW - Penzance, for example, has 32 to 80, though Tresco on the Isles of Scilly has 66 to 90, a much lower ratio.

I can only guess it's a geographical quirk, but as was explained to me after 1987 by my school teacher that it's the ratio which enhances damage: 50 to 80 will cause less damage than say 30 to 75, as the impact of the individual gusts compared to the background wind is that much higher. 

…..and that’s what concerns me..