Very strong winds and heavy rain are expected across the UK, as Storm Betty’s arrival causes multiple weather warnings for the start of the weekend.
The storm – which arrived in the UK on Friday – is the second named storm this month, following Storm Antoni.
The warnings follow a wet and windy night, particularly around the Irish Sea, with overnight gusts of 66 miles per hour (mph) recorded in Capel Curig, Gwynedd, in Wales.
A warning for strong winds remains in force until around noon on Saturday for western parts of England and Wales as well as the eastern area of Northern Ireland.
The Met Office says there is a risk of injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
Gusts of wind may also cause damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.
There is also potential for power cuts and mobile phone coverage could be affected.
Those making journeys are being advised to take care, with spray and flooding on roads adding to travel time, while those on public transport could be hit by cancellations and delays.
Flooding of homes and businesses could also be possible in some areas.
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A weather warning for rain is also in place for Central Scotland, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, southwest Scotland, Lothian Borders and Strathclyde.
The highest rainfall totals are expected over east-facing high ground in the Angus Hills and the Grampian Mountains where between 40-60mm could accumulate.
Strong and gusty southeasterly winds will accompany the rain, with gusts perhaps as high as 40mph around some exposed coasts and hills in the east.
Read more:
UK weather: The latest Sky News forecast
Warnings are in force until midday on Saturday.
Betty is the second storm named in August. Sky News weather presenter Kirsty McCabe said it’s particularly late in the year to be seeing named storms, with the naming season running from September through to August.
As for the weekend weather prospects, she said: “This weekend is the sixth unsettled one in a row, but Storm Betty will clear northwards on Saturday taking the heavy rain and strong winds with it.
“Most places will be fine and sunny this afternoon, though scattered blustery showers will affect the northwest.”
Storm Betty marks the second time since storm naming was introduced in 2015 that two storms have been named in August, following Ellen and Francis in August 2020.
