A number of weather warnings are in place as Storm Amy reaches northern parts of the UK on Friday afternoon. Storm Amy, which formed as a distinct feature in the jet stream partly due to the interaction of Hurricane Imelda and Humberto in the Atlantic, will bring disruptive wind and heavy rain for much of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northwest England and northwest Wales from Friday afternoon and into Saturday, Met Office said.
Three Amber warnings for wind have been issued, with the differing timings reflecting the track of the peak winds from Northern Ireland through to western and northern Scotland from Friday afternoon through to Saturday.
The warnings highlight a danger to life, the possibility of power cuts, travel disruption and particularly dangerous conditions near coasts.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “Storm Amy will be an impactful autumn storm for many in Scotland and Northern Ireland, though impacts will also spread to northwest England and Wales, as well as a more widespread windy period for the rest of the UK.
“Within the Amber warning areas, damaging gusts of around 100 mph are possible for a time on Friday evening for parts of western Scotland, especially Skye, Tiree, Barra and western Lochaber. This could lead to significant disruption, and brings the risk of power cuts and damage to buildings and trees. Elsewhere, gusts of 60-80 mph are expected more widely in the Amber warning areas, and slightly lower figures for those covered by Yellow warnings.
“Rainfall is an additional hazard, in particular over western Scotland, where totals could exceed 30-50mm in 6-9 hours, increasing the risk of flooding for some. A number of warnings have been issued covering the rainfall risk for the coming days.”
