UK warned of power cuts and travel disruption as Storm Isha hits

Severe weather warnings have been issued in many areas of the UK as Storm Isha takes hold, with sub-zero temperatures that froze much of the UK in the past week replaced by strong winds and wet weather.

The Met Office has urged people to check the weather and advice from their local councils on Sunday, as it warned of power cuts, flying debris, travel disruption, and dangerous conditions near the coast, with high waves expected. The body which represents Britain’s energy networks warned of risks to homes and vital infrastructure.

Amber and yellow severe weather warnings are in place, with forecasters warnings that coastal areas will see gusts of 60-70mph, while even inland areas will be buffeted by widespread gusts of 50-60 mph.

Two 12-hour amber wind warnings will be in place from 6pm on Sunday until Monday morning. One stretches across central, eastern and western England and all of Wales, only missing London and parts of the south-east. The other covers all of Scotland and northern England and Northern Ireland.

National Rail warned that bad weather could severely affect the railways, causing delays and cancellations as trains were forced to run at slower speeds, trees and debris damaged power lines, and tracks and equipment were flooded.

Speed restrictions had already been implemented on many routes on Sunday evening and more than a dozen train operators issued weather-related travel information and advice.

National Highways issued amber severe weather alerts in the north-west, north-east, south-west and south-east of England, as well as the east and west Midlands from 6pm on Sunday until the early hours of Monday, and advised motorists to plan for disruption. There was a particularly high risk that high-sided vehicles and other vulnerable vehicles such as caravans and motorbikes could be blown over, it said.

Cold Arctic air that has given the UK sunny skies but freezing temperatures was subsiding, and being replaced by an Atlantic influence that would bring a return to milder conditions, but also bring wet and windy weather across the UK, said the Met Office.

The chief meteorologist, Dan Suri, said severe weather warnings across Northern Ireland, central and southern Scotland, Wales, much of northern England as well as south-western parts of England could see gusts up to 80mph in exposed coastal locations.

The storm would move away on Monday morning, developing into very strong winds in the far south-east of England, and the risk of 70-80mph gusts in the early hours, he said.

He said: “Storm Isha will bring a disruptive spell of weather to the UK with strong winds across the whole country. Heavy rain will cause additional hazards, particularly in the west. A number of severe weather warnings for rain have also been issued.

“Keep up to date with the Met Office warnings and pay close attention to guidance from your local authority.”

A spokesperson for Energy Networks Association, which represents Britain’s energy network operators, urged people to check in with those who might need extra help, and to share information with friends and family.

“An amber warning brings an increased risk of damage to homes and vital infrastructure. Energy network operators are preparing to deal with any damage quickly and safely,” they said.

“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 for free if you have a power cut. If you see damaged power lines or lines brought down over the coming days, stay well clear and call 105 for free to report it, or dial 999 if there’s an immediate danger to life.”

The Met Office said high winds would gradually ease through the day on Monday, while overnight into Tuesday would be calmer for most of the country, with lighter winds and fewer showers in the north.

But it warned that low pressure would bring further wet and windy weather from the west on Tuesday morning, which would spread eastwards across the UK throughout the day.

Later in the week, conditions are expected to ease in the south, with temperatures expected to remain mild for the time of year. Any wet and windy weather is expected to be more confined to the north-west of the UK.