Storm Darragh is set to batter Britain this weekend with an amber danger to life warning issued by the Met Office.
Forecasters said a period of very strong northerly or northwesterly winds is likely to develop during Saturday as the storm moves from west to east.
A Met Office spokesperson said: “Gusts of 70 to 80 mph are likely around exposed coasts and headlands, where some very large waves are likely, whilst gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely inland. The strongest winds will ease from the west through the afternoon.”
An amber warning for wind indicates that “flying debris is likely and could lead to Injuries or danger to life.”
There could be heavy winds this weekend as Storm Darragh arrives
Met Office/PA/Ventusky
Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office Neil Armstrong said: “A spell of strong winds will affect parts of northern Scotland from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday morning.
“Winds will initially be south or southeasterly, but turn westerly during Thursday morning. Gusts will reach 50-60 mph widely with 65-75mph possible in places, especially around exposed coasts.
“A band of rain will also move eastwards across the UK overnight, bringing heavy rain to most parts of the UK as it crosses the country.
“We expect this rain to clear the southeast of England by 7am on Thursday morning, before another spell of wet and windy weather begins.”
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A Met Office spokesman said: “Storm Darragh is likely to cross Ireland late Friday, then parts of England and Wales on Saturday, clearing to the east of England on Saturday night or early Sunday.
“Darragh could bring a period of strong winds to much of the warning area.
“Winds will initially be from a southerly direction, but the strongest winds are likely as the low clears away when northerly or northwesterly winds may quite widely gust to around 40 to 50 mph inland but locally could gust in excess of 60 mph.
“Around coasts, winds may gust to 60 to 70 mph, perhaps locally nearer 80 mph.”
A spokesman continued: “The wind may cause disruption to travel, with difficult driving conditions likely.
“The duration of the strongest winds in any one location is likely to be less than 24 hours, but this warning is for a more extended period to cover the passage of the strong winds over the whole country.
“These start in the west on Friday evening, and clear from the east coasts of England and Scotland early on Sunday.”
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