Storm Ashley Set to Hit UK and Ireland Over Weekend
The first named storm of the 2024/25 season, Storm Ashley, is expected to sweep across Ireland and the UK this weekend, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and potential disruptions to many regions.
Storm Ashley is predicted to develop rapidly over the Atlantic on Saturday, undergoing a process known as "explosive cyclogenesis," also referred to as a "weather bomb” that will result in strong winds across the north and west of the UK.
West Scotland under amber warning, coastal areas including Northern Ireland, north-west England, and west Wales under yellow warning
Initially named by Met Éireann, the storm is forecasted to cause a significant impact on Sunday and Monday, with gusts expected to reach up to 80mph in some exposed areas, especially in western Scotland, where an amber warning is in place. Coastal areas, including Northern Ireland, north-west England, and west Wales, are also under a yellow warning, with gusts of 60-70mph anticipated.
In Ireland, the west coast is also under an amber warning, with the entire country and Northern Ireland covered by a yellow warning for strong winds. The storm is expected to reach Ireland first before hitting the UK early on Sunday morning.
People urged to be cautious when travelling
Tony Wisson, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, warned that "Storm Ashley will bring strong winds for most of the UK on Sunday before it clears on Monday, with a chance of some disruption."
Winds could cause travel delays, power outages, and even damage to buildings in some areas. High spring tides may exacerbate the situation along coastal regions, raising the risk of large waves and flooding.
Ashleigh Robson, Head of Transport Resilience at Transport Scotland, urged caution, particularly for those travelling during the storm.
"The strong winds may cause particular difficulties for HGVs, and debris on the roads and trees falling onto some roads is a strong possibility," she said.
Rail services, ferry crossings, and flights are also likely to face disruptions.
The public is encouraged to stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts and travel information.
"With some families off enjoying the October school holidays, we advise them to pay close attention to cross-border travel updates," Robson added.
While the worst of the storm is set to clear by Monday, conditions will remain unsettled, with the potential for continued rain and gusty winds. Transport and power networks are on high alert, with teams standing by to monitor the situation and respond as needed.
Storm Ashley is the first of the season, and future storms will follow in alphabetical order, with Bert and Conall next on the list. The storm-naming process, used jointly by the Met Office, Met Éireann, and the Netherlands' KNMI, aims to raise public awareness of severe weather impacts.
