Storm Isha is set to lash across Britain with destructive winds and deluge of rain as several amber warnings come into force in a ‘rare’ weather cycle.
The ninth storm named since September will bring winds of up to 80mph, which could bring travel chaos, power cuts and loss of mobile phone signal – as the Met Office warns “everyone” will be affected.
Almost four inches of rain could fall in a few hours in some regions and cause localized flooding, with eight flood warnings – where flooding is expected – already in place across England.
The Environment Agency has also issued 59 flood warnings – where flooding is possible – in England. Elsewhere, Scotland has 14 flood warnings and eight flood warnings, while Wales has issued a single flood alert.
It came after an arctic blast saw much of the country gripped by sub-zero temperatures on Thursday and Friday, with the mercury now lifting as cold and clear conditions are replaced by milder and stormier weather.
tea Met Office has issued “danger to life” amber weather warnings for wind for the north and west of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland from Sunday to Monday.
Another will come across parts of Sussex and Kent during Monday morning.
Forecasters said there was a risk to life in coastal areas from large waves and debris that washed ashore, as well as damage to buildings.
Yellow warnings for wind and rain will also come into force covering the rest of the UK during the two days – meaning flooding is likely.
Britons are being told to expect travel disruption, damage to buildings and flying debris as south-westerly winds of up to 80mph could lash exposed coasts and there could be gusts of up to 60 mph inside.
Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer told the PA news agency: “The main thing about this storm is that it is very widespread across the UK.
“Quite often we see storms that affect the north-west or the south half of the United Kingdom, while this, after Sunday and Monday, the whole of the United Kingdom is covered by a warning, which is relatively rare.
“In that nature it’s a very widespread storm and it’s going to affect everybody. The rain is going to affect everybody, those strong winds are going to affect everybody.
“That’s the main difference with previous storms we’ve seen.”
East Midlands Railway said it expected “significant disruption” on Sunday and Monday and delays and disruptions to services, while Police Scotland advised people to avoid unnecessary journeys.
The heaviest rains can occur on Sunday as 30-50 mm could fall in many places – and there is potential for peaks of 80-100 mm on the mountains.
Ms Glaisyer said: “Anyone driving on Sunday night and into Monday should be aware of water on the roads, a lot of splashing, maybe some branches and trees have fallen causing the roads to be blocked.
“There are also some large waves that could cause disruption to ferry services and strong winds could cause some delays to train and plane travel.”
However, warmer temperatures will replace the recent snow and sub-zero chills felt late, with highs of 13C possible on Sunday.
A yellow wind warning will then be in place from Tuesday afternoon until midday on Wednesday, covering Northern Ireland, North Wales, Northern England and most of Scotland.
He says people should expect travel disruptions, power outages, damage to buildings and large waves, with gusts of 45-55 mph likely inland, but there is the potential for 60-70 mph winds.
Storm Isha is the ninth storm to hit the UK since the season began in September.
Each storm is named when it poses a risk to people and is given names that begin with consecutive letters of the alphabet.
The record number of storms named in a year is when the Met Office started the practice in 2015/16, with Storm Katie being the 11th and last storm of the season.
If there are three more storms named between next week and August, this year will mark a new record.
Cold Arctic air pushing south into North America is making the jet stream more active, the Met Office said, and because it flows from west to east, it’s bringing stormier weather to the UK .
Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said: “Storm Isha will bring strong winds across the UK through Sunday and into Monday.
“Areas of particular concern are reflected by a major severe weather Amber warning covering Northern Ireland, central and southern Scotland, Wales, much of northern England and even southern -west of England.
“In these regions we may see gusts often between 50-60 mph and even up to 80 mph in exposed coastal areas. As the storm begins to move away Monday morning, very strong winds will also develop in the extreme southeast of the ‘England, bringing the risk of gusts of 70-80 mph also here in the early hours of Monday morning.
“Storm Isha will bring a disruptive spell of weather to the UK with strong winds across the country. Heavy rain will cause additional hazards, particularly in the west.
“A number of severe weather warnings for rain have also been issued.”
The warnings highlight the possibility of travel disruption, power outages and dangerous conditions near the coast with high waves and flying debris.
A spokesman for the Energy Networks Association, which represents the UK’s energy network operators, said: “An amber warning carries an increased risk of damage to homes and vital infrastructure. Energy network operators are preparing to deal any damage quickly and safely.
“With severe weather forecast, our advice to customers is to prepare, care and share. Prepare by going online to PowerCut105.com for advice and call 105 toll-free if you experience a power outage. Check with people who they may need extra help, and share this information so friends and family know what to do too.
“If you see downed power lines or lines in the coming days, stay well clear and call 105 free of charge to report it, or call 999 if there is an immediate danger to life.”
