Storm Ashley Batters Parts of the UK with 80mph Winds and Heavy Rain

Parts of the UK have been hit by strong winds and heavy rain as Storm Ashley, the first named storm of the season, swept across the region. The Met Office issued warnings for dangerous conditions, with winds reaching up to 80mph, creating a risk of injuries and danger to life in affected areas.

A yellow warning for wind was in place from 3 am on Sunday, covering all of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of north-west England and Wales, set to last until midnight. The highest wind gust of 82mph was recorded in Aberdaron, Gwynedd, Wales, with stronger winds expected later in the day.

In north-west Scotland, an amber warning was issued from 9 am to midnight, with the Met Office cautioning that large waves and beach debris could pose significant risks. “Injuries and danger to life are likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties,” the Met Office warned. Meteorologist Dan Stroud added that the combination of severe gales and high spring tides could lead to very large waves in the area, via the Express.

The storm also affected areas further south, with a yellow warning for south-west England and south Wales lasting until midday on Sunday. The Met Office warned of potential travel disruptions, power outages, and possible flooding in these regions. As of Sunday morning, the Environment Agency reported 41 active flood warnings and 132 flood alerts across England, with particular focus on the River Severn, the south Cornwall coast, and the Wye estuary.

Throughout the day, storm-force winds and rain moved across the UK, with some sunny spells expected in the afternoon. “Parts of western Scotland could see gusts of 70-80mph during the afternoon,” said Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer, while much of England and Wales would experience drier, brighter conditions later in the day.

In Ireland, tens of thousands of homes were left without power. ESB Networks reported 29,000 customers without power on Sunday night, down from 53,000 earlier in the day. In Northern Ireland, 1,500 customers were still affected by outages late Sunday, though power had already been restored to over 10,000 homes.

Storm Ashley also caused flight cancellations, with 60 flights disrupted at Dublin airport and 28 departures cancelled at Belfast City airport. Motorists were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, and the Great South Run in Portsmouth was cancelled due to safety concerns.

As the storm moved into Monday, forecasters warned of continued gale-force winds and potential hazards for commuters. Winds are expected to ease throughout the day, but the north will remain blustery for much of the week. Storm Ashley was named by Ireland’s Met Éireann in collaboration with UK and Dutch forecasters.