Storm Amy has transformed into a terrifying weather bomb, an expert has warned, after the 100mph low pressure system hit the UK this afternoon with amber warnings for wind in place
Storm Amy continues to strengthen along the UK coast, with “definite cyclogenesis taking place”, a meteorologist has warned, which is also known as a weather bomb.
The storm’s wind gusts are forecast to reach up to 100mph tonight, with a number of yellow and amber warnings in place across the country. Latest weather maps show Storm Amy will mainly affect Northern Ireland and North-West Scotland, but strong winds and heavy downpours could be felt across the UK.
The Met Office’s amber weather warnings represent a danger to life, and British Weather Services’ senior meteorologist Jim Dale urged the public to take care. When asked whether he had any last-minute advice for the public, he simply warned: “Stay in!”
READ MORE: Storm Amy LIVE: Met Office weather warnings in FULL as all of UK is coveredREAD MORE: Storm Amy WATCH LIVE as UK weather webcams capture terrifying 100mph winds across Britain
He told the Mirror: “Amber warnings are not to be sniffed at, even if they are in parts of the country more used to storms than other parts.
“We’re expecting to see +90mph peak gusts in the most exposed parts of north & northwest Scotland, pushing 100mph possibly.
“It’s 959mb at the core of Storm Amy, so definite cyclogenesis taking place, AKA a weather bomb.”
The Met Office issued three amber weather warnings for wind, which highlight a danger to life. They range from Northern Ireland through to northern Scotland, from Friday afternoon until Saturday.
There were also a number of yellow wind warnings, stretching from the middle of Wales up to the Outer Hebrides, lasting until Sunday morning. The Met Office issued two yellow warnings for rain, across the whole of Northern Ireland and western Scotland.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “Storm Amy will be an impactful autumn storm for many in Scotland and Northern Ireland, though impacts will also spread to northwest England and Wales, as well as a more widespread windy period for the rest of the UK.
“Within the amber warning areas, damaging gusts of around 100mph are possible for a time on Friday evening for parts of western Scotland, especially Skye, Tiree, Barra and western Lochaber.
“This could lead to significant disruption, and brings the risk of power cuts and damage to buildings and trees. Elsewhere, gusts of 60-80mph are expected more widely in the amber warning areas, and slightly lower figures for those covered by yellow warnings.
“Rainfall is an additional hazard, in particular over western Scotland, where totals could exceed 30-50mm in six to nine hours, increasing the risk of flooding for some. A number of warnings have been issued covering the rainfall risk for the coming days.”
Storm Amy formed in the Atlantic after Hurricane Humberto hit the Caribbean earlier this week. Its remnants strengthened in the Atlantic, before making landfall in the Republic of Ireland at about 10am this morning.
Meanwhile, about 184,000 homes, farms and businesses across the Republic of Ireland were without power at 5.15pm during Storm Amy, according to electricity suppliers.
The ESB said affected properties were predominantly in counties Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal. It also warned that further “power outages can be expected”.
A spokesman said: “Crews will continue the restoration work for as long as possible this evening, but it is likely that the majority of customers will not have their power restored tonight due to the hazardous weather conditions and accessibility challenges.”
People in Co Donegal were advised to “shelter in place” between 4pm and 6pm due to Storm Amy following the wind warning from Met Eireann.
It said this would mean fallen trees, damage to power lines, dangerous travelling conditions, structural damage and wave overtopping.
Meanwhile, schools across a large part of Northern Ireland were advised to close early as the high winds brought disruption across the island.
Forecasters said there would be damaging winds with every county on the island under weather warnings on Friday.