Strong winds are set to batter London overnight on Wednesday as Storm Agnes, the first named storm of the season, sweeps across the country.
London and the south-east have escaped a yellow wind warning the Met Office has issued for the rest of the UK, from midday on Wednesday until 7am Thursday.
But the capital is still set to be hit by strong winds, forecast to reach a peak of about 33mph in the early hours of Thursday.
Issuing a yellow wind warning for the majority of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Met Office said strong winds brought by Storm Agnes “could be significantly disruptive”, bringing “a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris”.
It said there will also be a risk of damage to buildings, power cuts, and disruption to mobile phone coverage.
It added: “Longer journey times are likely, or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected. Some roads and bridges are likely to close”, it added, while warning large waves in coastal areas could also pose a danger to the public.
#StormAgnes has been named and is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to much of the UK later on Wednesday and into Thursday
— Met Office (@metoffice) September 25, 2023
Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/KxU5aqsaDR
The Met Office has also issued yellow rain warnings for areas of central and western Scotland, from 9pm on Wednesday to 6am on Thursday.
Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said: “While the precise track and depth of Storm Agnes is still being determined, there’s a high likelihood of wind gusts around 50 to 60mph for some inland areas.
“Exposed coastal areas could see gusts of 65-75mph with a small chance of a few places seeing around 80mph.
“As well as some very strong winds for many, Storm Agnes will also bring some heavy rain, with the highest totals more likely in Scotland, northern England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“Around 60mm of rain is possible in a few places over high ground in Scotland.”
