The Met Office has officially named Storm Amy as the first storm of the season, forecasting gusts exceeding 80mph along with heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to make landfall on Friday, bringing 'very strong winds and heavy rain' to northern and western regions of the UK.
The storm developed after Hurricane Humberto, a Category 3 storm, collided with Storm Imelda over the Atlantic Ocean. Storm Imelda has already been linked to two deaths in Cuba due to a landslide that destroyed several homes.
The Met Office has issued warnings for 44 areas, with gusts of 50 to 60 mph expected widely, and up to 70 mph in some places. Exposed coasts and hills could see gusts exceeding 80 mph, particularly in northern Scotland. The forecaster warned of difficult driving conditions for high-sided vehicles and potential disruption to travel.
Heavy rain will accompany the winds, especially across parts of western Scotland. The winds are expected to ease for most areas on Saturday afternoon, but will remain strong for the Northern Isles and far north of Scotland until the end of the day.
There is a risk of power cuts, which could affect other services such as mobile phone coverage. The Met Office has advised the public to prepare by gathering torches, batteries, and a mobile phone power pack. Travelers are urged to check road conditions and timetables before setting out.
