Danger-to-life warning issued as explosive storm hits UK

An amber warning is in place

People have been warned that power cuts, travel disruption and possible damage to buildings are expected this weekend as Storm Ashley sweeps across the country.

The Met Office has issued an amber high wind warning for some western areas on Sunday, with gusts of 70-80 mph (113-129km/h) expected in more exposed areas.

55-65mph winds are expected more widely. A yellow alert for high winds gusting up to 60 mph (97km/h) covers the whole of the country, and for northern areas will last over the rush hour on Monday.

Scotland will be worst hit, with an amber warning area stretching from Argyll to Cape Wrath in the north, and covers many of the country's island communities from 9am Sunday until midnight.

The yellow warning affecting all of Scotland starts earlier - from 03:00 on Sunday and will last until 09:00 on Monday for the northern half of the country.

Storm Ashley is the first named storm of the season and meteorologists say it will see a rapid drop of pressure as it moves in from the Atlantic on Saturday night - a phenomenon called a ‘weather bomb’.

The phrase is taken from the US term "bombogenesis", used to described a fall of at least 24 millibars of pressure in 24 hours.

High winds will coincide with high tides which bring a risk of large waves and coastal overtopping.

Ferry routes, Ardrossan - Brodick, Troon - Brodick, and Oban – Castlebay, have already cancelled services on Sunday.

CalMac has warned that more services could be cancelled at short notice on Sunday and Monday.

Transport Scotland's head of resilience Ashleigh Robson warned of widespread travel disruption.

She said: “Passengers should certainly check with their operator, and with many families enjoying the October school holidays, we would advise them to pay close attention to any cross-border travel updates too.”

Ch Supt Hilary Sloan, head of road policing at Police Scotland, urged drivers in the amber alert area to plan ahead.

She said: “If you are travelling, make sure your vehicle has sufficient fuel and is completely roadworthy.

“Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged in the event you need to call for assistance and if it is likely you may be within your vehicle for long periods of time, take additional clothing and water with you.”

The storm has already affected some areas of the country with the Great South Run set to take place today in Portsmouth being cancelled.

While winds are expected to die down in some places by the end of the day, next week is expected to be blustery, while debris such as fallen trees could impact commuters into the coming days.