Raging winds of 82mph and heavy rainfall has left at least 10,000 properties without power as Storm Hannah continues to reap havoc on Britain.
Those in Wales and central and southern England were issued with a yellow wind warning, which will remain in place until 3pm on Saturday. Threats to transport networks and further power cuts are likely.
Northern Ireland has been given a yellow warning for rain, with businesses and homeowners facing “likely†flooding.
Energy company Western Power Distribution said that more than 1,700 properties had been left without power on its network on Saturday morning, with the majority of those affected in Wales.
Transport for Wales said storm damage on the Conwy Valley line meant buses were replacing trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The Llyn Peninsula saw the highest gust overnight when winds of 82mph were recorded at Aberdaron.
Meanwhile, a gust of 78mph was recorded at Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire and a 64mph gust was observed at the Needles off the Isle of Wight.
Forecasters said the highest winds were expected in exposed coastal areas, although gusts could reach up to 50mph as the storm moves inland.
Many areas will see wet and windy conditions on Saturday, although Scotland and South East England are expected to see better weather.
However temperatures are only expected to reach between 9C (48F) and 12C (53F) – much lower than the 26C (79F) heat seen over the Easter weekend.
Western parts could also see a touch of frost on Saturday night under clearer skies in Storm Hannah’s wake.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “We are seeing quite hefty bursts of rain moving across Northern Ireland and into Wales, with elsewhere a bit more showery in nature.
“There are also quite lively gusts of wind, certainly for the UK, between 70 to 80mph and the highest at Aberdaron of 82mph at around midnight.
“The winds will pick up through the morning across the rest of southern England as the low tracks its way eastwards.
“The most persistent rain will be across Northern Ireland and Wales, with some showery outbreaks across parts of northern England as well.â€
‘Violent gusts’
Named by the Irish weather service Met Eireann, Storm Hannah barrelled into Ireland’s south-west on Friday. Forecasters issued several weather warnings, including a red warning of “violent gustsâ€.
The highest recorded were at Mace Head in Galway, where 76mph was observed, while gusts reached 74mph at Shannon Airport.
ESB Networks said on Friday night that strong winds had caused damage to the electricity network affecting approximately 10,000 homes, farms and businesses, predominantly in counties Kerry and Cork.
Met Eireann said that “very windy†conditions would continue on Saturday morning before easing.
“Whilst the winds will abate, it will still be windy into the afternoon, with brisk northwest wind steering down a mix of sunny spells & scattered heavy showers,†the weather service tweeted.
Source: inews.co.uk