UK weather: Storm Ashley hits with winds of up to 80mph expected

Warnings for winds and rain have come into effect across different parts of the UK as the first named storm of the season has hit.

Storm Ashley is "likely" to bring a threat of injuries and danger to life, the Met Office has said, with the entirety of Scotland and Northern Ireland being under a yellow warning for wind.

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An amber warning for the northwest of Scotland runs until midnight with the weather service warning "injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties".

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Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said "very strong, severe gales" on Sunday would coincide with high spring tides, which could also result in "very large waves".

The north of Scotland will remain under a yellow warning for wind from midnight until 9am on Monday.

Further south, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the southwest of England and South Wales until midday on Sunday with a threat of disruption to travel with flooding and possible interruptions to power supplies.

Mr Stroud said gale force winds are due to continue through to Monday morning meaning "fallen debris and trees" could impact commuters at the start of the week.

Road users in Scotland have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel where possible, while Sunday's annual Great South Run in Portsmouth, Hampshire, has been cancelled because of weather-related safety concerns.

Police Scotland have advised motorists to "plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel where possible" ahead of the "strong likelihood" of disruption on roads, while Transport Scotland has warned of likely delays to public transport, including the country's ferry network.

Meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said: "Parts of western Scotland could see gusts of 70-80mph during the afternoon. It will turn drier and brighter across much of England and Wales with some sunny spells during the afternoon."

Winds are expected to ease on Monday with rain moving into the South East. The north is expected to remain blustery for much of the week.

The Environment Agency's website listed 41 active flood warnings on Sunday morning, meaning flooding is expected, and 132 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.

The warnings include multiple areas of the River Severn, the south Cornwall coast and the Wye Estuary.

Natural Resources Wales said there are three flood warnings and 13 flood alerts in place, while 16 flood warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency along with 17 alerts.

(c) Sky News 2024: UK weather: Storm Ashley hits with winds of up to 80mph expected