Winds of up to 80 mph could put lives at risk and disrupt travel and power supplies across parts of the the UK as Storm Ali sweeps in.
Strong and dangerous winds are expected to bring flying debris and travel disruptions to parts of Britain on Wednesday.Weather warnings for Storm Ali are in place from 6am on Wednesday morning as the weather system is expected to hit in the early hours.
The Met Office has issued a raft of weather warninsg for northern England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of north Wales ahead of Ali’s arrival.
The amber warning issued by the Met Office is in place from 8am to 6pm.
While yellow warnings have also been issued in some parts of the UK, where wind speed of up to 60mph can be expected.
On Wednesday, a yellow warning for rain is in place from 6am to 10pm.
On Thursday, a yellow warning for rain is in place between 4am and 10pm.
Debris flying in the could also endanger lives, the Met Office weather service warned.
Met Office chief forecaster Laura Paterson said: “Storm Ali is expected to bring a spell of very strong winds to northern parts of the UK through Wednesday, particularly Northern Ireland, central and southern Scotland and the far northwest of England.
“As this is the first spell of very strong winds of the season, and given that most trees are still in full leaf, we are likely to see some dangerous conditions with falling trees and flying branches and other debris likely.
“Strong winds will be accompanied by heavy, squally showers.”
Storm Ali is Britain’s first named storm of the season, with storm Helene which hit Wales on Tuesday having taken its name from a US hurricane.
Falling trees, widespread travel disruption and loss of electricity supplies threaten to cripple the worst-hit regions as gale-force winds tear in from the Atlantic.
Met Office chief forecaster Steve Ramsdale said: “A spell of strong winds is expected mainly in the far southwest of England and across west and south Wales.
“The strongest winds will the transferring across the Midlands and parts of northern England during Tuesday morning and into the afternoon.
“Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely, probably some bus and train services will be affected with some journeys taking longer.”
From Wednesday afternoon Ali’s winds will gradually ease, but the weather is set to be unsettled for the rest of the week.
The forecast shows further strong winds and heavy rain can be expected across most parts of the UK this week.
Met Office has also issued a yellow rain warning for parts of Wales and northwest England on Thursday.
The heavy and persistent rain may cause flooding on roads in Wales.
Wet and windy weather is likely over the weekend as well, but from next week the weather conditions in the UK are expected to be quieter.
