Multiple weather warnings have been issued as the UK prepares for the first named storm of the season this weekend that could bring monster 80mph winds and torrential downpours of 50mm of rain falling in just a few hours. Storm Amy is due to make landfall from Friday (October 3), with yellow weather warnings for wind issued by the Met Office for Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of the north and north-west England from 6pm on that day until midnight on Saturday.
Storm Amy is formed from remains of the sub-tropical Hurricane Humberto, which has tracked its way across the Atlantic from the US and the Caribbean and is now bearing down on Britain. The Met Office said Storm Amy will bring “very strong winds and heavy rain” to northern and western areas. Gusts are expected to widely reach 50 to 60mph in northern Britain, potentially reaching 70-80mph in places.
Stronger gusts are expected on exposed coasts and hills, mainly in the north west. Heavy rain is also expected, particularly over western Scotland, which could see up to 50mm fall in nine hours. Power supplies and transport could be affected.
New ominous weather maps from WXCharts show the entire country enveloped by the stormy conditions over the weekend, with wind and rain hitting everywhere from Land’s End to the Shetland Islands. The Met Office is warning of potential disruption to transport, power supplies, and outdoor activities, especially from Friday evening into Saturday.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Tom Crabtree, said: “Although there is still some uncertainty about the exact track Storm Amy will take, the system will bring gale-force winds across northern and western regions.
“Heavy rainfall is also expected, particularly over western Scotland, where totals could exceed 30-50 mm in six to nine hours, increasing the risk of localised flooding.
“Forecasts and warnings will be updated as the situation becomes more clear, therefore it is important to keep an eye forecast for your area over the coming days.”
Martin Thomson from Transport Scotland said: “Storm Amy is set to bring heavy rain and strong winds to parts of Scotland and we expect to see disruption to the transport network in the warning areas.
“The rain and wind will bring difficult driving conditions, such as reduced visibility and surface water, and are also likely to affect the ferry and rail networks, so it’s important to plan your journey ahead of time.
“Motorists should use the Traffic Scotland website before they set off to make sure that their route is available, and you should check with your operator if you are planning to travel on trains, ferries and flights.”
A yellow rain warning is in place for heavy rain which is continuing to affect western Scotland throughout Wednesday and Thursday.
A yellow warning for wind has been issued for Scotland, parts of North West and North East England, north Wales and Northern Ireland, between 6pm on Friday and 11.59pm on Saturday.
Today:
Cloudy and rather breezy in the north with spells of heavy rain at first, easing for a time before heavy rain returns to western Scotland later. Dry elsewhere with early morning fog soon clearing to give way to sunny spells.
Tonight:
Breezy in the north with heavy outbreaks of rain in western Scottish, especially across the hills. Further south, remaining dry with patchy fog returning to the countryside under clear skies.
Thursday:
Widely cloudy in the north and west with rain becoming widespread and heavy by the afternoon. Dry in the southeast with some sunshine, before cloud builds from the northwest later.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Briefly settled Friday morning, before becoming widely wet and windy later with heavy, persistent rain and coastal gales. Windy throughout the weekend with a mixture of sunshine and blustery showers.
