When will Storm Ashley hit the UK? What we know

Storm Ashley is set to bring high winds to parts of the UK on Friday and Sunday, prompting the Met Office to put yellow weather warnings in place.

AVIEMORE, SCOTLAND  - FEBRUARY 17: A warning sign on the road to the Cairngorm ski area, as high winds cause the closure of all snowsports facilities, on February 17, 2023 in Aviemore, Scotland. Wind speeds reportedly reached 120 mph on Cairngorm overnight. (Photo by Ken Jack/Getty Images.)
Yellow weather warnings are in place as Storm Ashley is set to bring high winds to parts of the UK. (Getty)

A severe weather warning is in place for part of the UK as Storm Ashley brings strong winds to the UK.

Irish meteorological service Met Éireann named the storm, saying it would bring "very strong and gusty southerly winds, coupled with high spring tides".

The Met Office also issued a yellow and amber national severe weather warning for wind, warning of gusts in excess of 60mph in some areas. Sunday is also set to be stormy, with the possibility of disruption in some parts of the UK due to high winds that could reach 70-80mph, leading to a yellow weather warning being put in place from 3am on Sunday to midday on Monday.

Winds are expected to affect western Scotland on Friday.

On Sunday, an area of low pressure will bring more widespread strong winds, especially in northern and western areas, with potential for some disruption in places.

Tony Wisson, a Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “This low-pressure system is not expected to develop until Friday near the coast of Canada, so at this stage there is still a lot of uncertainty about the strength and track of this system as it interacts with the jet stream over the weekend. It’s likely that parts of Ireland will see impacts from this before the UK though.

“At present, a windy period is expected across the whole of the UK on Sunday and into Monday, but across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northwest England and North West Wales, there is an increased chance of some disruption.

“Initially a period of strong south to southeasterly winds will likely develop through Sunday morning, with gusts of 50-60mph possible in some inland areas, especially Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and perhaps up to 60-70mph along exposed coasts and hills.

“Winds will then likely turn southwesterly, with a period of especially strong winds possible during Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland, where gusts could potentially reach 70-80mph in exposed areas, and more generally 55-65mph in other parts of the warning area. These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides, may cause some disruption."

A Met Office video shows the likely strength of Storm Ashley when it hits part of the UK on Sunday morning. (Met Office)
A Met Office video shows the likely strength of Storm Ashley when it hits part of the UK on Sunday morning. (Met Office)
Met Office maps showing maximum wind speed at the peak of Storm Ashley on early Sunday morning.
Please write in the captions how these maps show that there'll be 50mph+ winds in Wales, and 40-50mph winds in parts of England
Write in the caption for the Scotland one (also 7am Sunday), that there are forecasts of 70mph winds in parts of remote Scotland
A warning is in place for high winds on Sunday morning, when Storm Ashley is set to peak. At 7am on Sunday there are set to be 50mph+ winds in Wales and 40-50mph winds in parts of England. (Met Office)
Met Office maps showing maximum wind speed at the peak of Storm Ashley on early Sunday morning.
Please write in the captions how these maps show that there'll be 50mph+ winds in Wales, and 40-50mph winds in parts of England
Write in the caption for the Scotland one (also 7am Sunday), that there are forecasts of 70mph winds in parts of remote Scotland
As Storm Ashley peaks at 7am on Sunday morning, winds are forecast to potentially be as strong as 70mph in parts of remote Scotland. (Met Office)
The Met Office issued a yellow and amber weather warning for wind across the whole of Scotland, along with parts of Wales and northern Ireland, and northern England, for early on Sunday morning. (Met Office)
The Met Office issued a yellow and amber weather warning for wind across the whole of Scotland, along with parts of Wales and northern Ireland, and northern England, for early on Sunday morning. (Met Office)

The Met Office issues weather warnings for severe weather including rain, thunderstorms, wind, snow, lightning, ice, extreme heat and fog. The warnings are designed to let people, businesses, emergency responders and governments know what weather is in store and what the impacts of that weather may be.

Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations. Many are issued when it is likely that the weather will cause some low-level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places.

According to the Met Office, many people may be able to continue with their daily routine, but there will be some that will be directly impacted and so it is important to assess if you could be affected.

Other yellow warnings are issued when the weather could bring much more severe impacts to the majority of people but the certainty of those impacts occurring is much lower.

The contents of the weather warning - in this case for wind - determines which weather situation is being covered by the yellow warning.

The Met Office decided to start giving storms names in 2014, following a similar system in America.

It is hoped that naming big storms helped raise awareness, so people know about them when they are referred to on the radio or television, or on social media, and are warned of how dangerous they can be

Derrick Ryall, from the Met Office, said: "We have seen how naming storms elsewhere in the world raises awareness of severe weather before it strikes."