Latest updates - Storm Ali arrives in Northern Ireland with 'damaging' 80mph gusts forecast
Over 32,000 homes without power, travel disruption, and flying debris likely as first named storm of the season hits
Last updated 19th Sep 2018
LIVE: WHERE IS STORM ALI NOW? AMBER WARNING ISSUED AS FIRST NAMED STORM OF THE SEASON ARRIVES
Batten down the hatches, a deep area of low pressure, named Storm Ali, is expected to bring disruptive wind and rain to Northern Ireland during Wednesday.
There is a Met Office amber wind warning in force, we can expect peak gusts of up to 80mph widely through today. The north and west are expected to bear the brunt of the strongest winds.
Today's weather could impact travel plans during both the morning and evening commutes.
The amber warning is in effect from 08:00 Wednesday lasting through until 18:00 with peak winds gusts expected at midday.
According to the Met Office; "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."
LATEST TRAVEL DISRUPTION ACROSS NORTHERN IRELAND
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.