Storm Ali: Met Office issues AMBER weather warning for 65-75mph winds and heavy rain
Travel disruption, power cuts and flying debris possible as first storm of the season set to hit Northern Ireland
Last updated 19th Sep 2018
Batten down the hatches... we're in for an unsettled few days weather-wise.
A deep area of low pressure, officially named by the Met Office and Met Eireann as Storm Ali, will sweep in across the UK reaching Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning - with the potential to bring disruptive wind and rain.
There is an amber wind warning in force, we can expect peak gusts of 65-75 mph widely.
The north and west are expected to bear the brunt of the heaviest rain and strongest winds.
Today's weather could impact travel plans during the morning commute.
"Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. Some roads and bridges may close."
"With trees still in full leaf, there are likely to be branches and trees down - and some structural damage is possible. Power cuts may occur"
"Driving will be dangerous at times, especially when combined with heavy downpours."
The amber warning comes into affect from 08:00 Wednesday lasting through until 18:00.
NORTHERN IRELAND FOUR DAY FORECAST
Wednesday - A very unsettled day with heavy rain and gale force winds, turning cooler. Highs of 13-15 °C. (MET OFFICE AMBER WARNING IN FORCE)
Thursday - Scattered showers. Highs of 12-14 °C.
Friday - Bright day with sunny spells. Highs of 12-14 °C.
Saturday - Cloudy in the morning, chance of showers later in the day. Highs of 12-14 °C.
STORM NAMES FOR THE 2018/2019 SEASON
Storms are named by the Met Office or, in Ireland, Met Eireann, in order to raise public awareness of approaching bad weather.
Last week, the Met Office and Met Éireann unvealed a list of the names of this seasons storms.
First introduced in 2015, this is the fourth year they have jointly run the ‘Name our Storms’ scheme, aimed at raising awareness of severe weather before it hits.
The first storm will be ‘male’ and named Ali, while the second storm will be ‘female’ and named Bronagh, following the alternating male/female pattern established by the US National Hurricane Center in the 1970s.