Storm Amy, the first named storm of the season, is set to batter northern parts of the UK from late Friday into Saturday, the Met Office has warned. Forecasters predict gale-force winds exceeding 80mph and heavy rain across northern and western regions.
Amber and yellow weather warnings have been issued for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of northern and north-west England. The Met Office has warned of a risk to life from flying debris and large waves. Transport Scotland has advised motorists to check the Traffic Scotland website before travelling, and passengers should check with train, ferry, and air operators.
Tom Crabtree, Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, said there is still uncertainty about the exact track of Storm Amy. “The system will bring gale-force winds across northern and western regions, with gusts widely reaching 50 to 60 miles per hour inland in northern Britain, and potentially reaching 70 to 80 miles per hour in places,” he said. Even stronger gusts are likely on exposed coasts and hills, mainly in the north-west.
Heavy rainfall is expected, particularly over western Scotland, where totals could exceed 30-50mm in six to nine hours, increasing the risk of localised flooding. Forecasts and warnings will be updated as the situation becomes clearer.
Martin Thomson, Transport Scotland spokesperson, 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.”
The Met Office has been naming storms since 2015 to improve communication of high-impact weather events. This season's names begin with Amy, followed by Bram, Chandra, Dave, Eddie, and up to Wubbo. A yellow rain warning is also in place from 5pm Wednesday covering west and north-west Scotland until the end of Thursday.
