Storm Agnes: Met Office issues yellow weather warnings with winds up to 80mph

Areas of Britain are feeling the first impacts of the storm which is set to batter the country this week. The Met Office has issued several severe weather warnings - and says even worse could be on the way.

There will be periods of heavy rain and strong winds - up to 80 mph - across many areas of the country.

Sunday night, saw strong winds throughout the Irish Sea and into Scotland. That will continue yesterday (Monday) with warnings of high winds and showery conditions, particularly in the north.

Downpours and high winds are hitting large sections of the north today and are anticipated to get worse throughout the week. The forecast is to bad, it has officially been named the UK's first storm of the season: Storm Agnes. Meterologists make that decision depending on the intensity of the weather. 

Today's forecast: 

Tuesday starts with showers - heavy at times for Northern Ireland and north west Scotland - which spread eastwards through the day.

Tomorrow's forecast:

A spell of strong winds is expected to move northeast through Wednesday, with a small chance that they could be significantly disruptive.

What to expect

• There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris
• There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
• There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• Longer journey times are likely, or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected. Some roads and bridges are likely to close.
• There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties; with a chance of some minor flooding of coastal roads.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Mark Sidaway said: “A deep area of low pressure is expected to approach southwest Ireland early on Wednesday, and track across northern parts of the UK before clearing early Thursday. 

“There is some uncertainty on the precise track and strength of this weather system, however the most likely outcome at present is for a wide swathe of 50 to 60mph gusts affecting inland areas. 

"A  yellow warning for wind has been issued for much of the country from 10am on Wednesday to 7am on Thursday. Some Irish Sea coasts could see gusts of 65 to 75mph, with a small chance of 80mph gusts on the most exposed coasts and headlands.”

The weather is expected to stay changeable as we head into next weekend.

There is potential for the unsettled weather to officially be named the UK's first storm of the season, in which case it'll be referred to as Storm Agnes. This depends on the track and intensity of the weather, and meteorologists will analyse this in the coming days to make a decision.