21 January 2024 , 07:04
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Storm Isha is set to blast through the UK this weekend bringing gale force winds and torrential downpours to huge swathes of the British isles.
On Friday, the Met Office named the weather front and issued a rare amber warning for wind in the north and west of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. The warning will remain in place from this morning until tomorrow.
Coastal areas are under particular threat, with a higher risk to life in coastal areas due to large waves and debris being blown inland. Power cuts are also on the cards, as is loss of phone signal. Roads and bridges will also be shut down, as people using public transport face delays and cancellations.
A yellow weather warning has also been issued for wind and rain from Sunday, covering most of the rest of the UK, bringing a heightened risk of flooding. The heaviest downpours are expected in northern England, where 30 to 50mm could fall in many places. There could be peaks of as much as 100mm over hills. One positive to the looming storm is that it will put an end to the recent freezing low temperatures that has seen entire neighbourhoods covered in frost.
The Met Office's rainfall forecast for 9am Sunday (Met Office)Low pressure is driving out the Arctic air and making way for an Atlantic influence. This means milder temperatures but potentially more volatile fronts, including rain and wind. The Met Office named Storm Isha on Friday - the ninth since the start of the season in September.
Met Office says UK will be battered by monster rain storm with 4 inches falling
The Met Office's rainfall forecast for 3pm Sunday (Met Office)Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri, said: “Storm Isha will bring strong winds to the whole of the UK through Sunday and into Monday. The areas of particular concern are reflected by a large Amber severe weather warning which covers Northern Ireland, central and southern Scotland, Wales, much of northern England as well as southwestern parts of England.
The Met Office's rainfall forecast for 6pm Sunday (Met Office)“In these regions we could see gusts frequently between 50-60mph and even up to 80mph in exposed coastal locations. As the storm starts to move away on Monday morning very strong winds will also develop in the far southeast of England, bringing the risk of 70-80mph gusts here too in the early hours of Monday morning.
“Storm Isha will bring a disruptive spell of weather to the UK with strong winds across the whole country. Heavy rain will cause additional hazards, particularly in the west. A number of severe weather warnings for rain have also been issued. Keep up to date with the Met Office warnings and pay close attention to guidance from your local authority.”
Inland wind speeds are expected to reach 50 to 60mph, but in coastal regions there could be widespread winds of up to 60 or 70mph, with the possibility of even 80mph in parts. Meanwhile, a yellow ice warning remains in place across northern Scotland until 9am today.