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Storm Amy threatens travel disruption across UK with winds of up to 95mph Storm Amy: schools closed and ferries cancelled as strong winds hit parts of UK
(about 4 hours later)
Some rail services in Scotland to end early on Friday as weather warnings in place throughout Britain into weekend North and west of Scotland expected to be worst hit by storm as winds could reach 100mph in exposed areas
Commuters across the UK have been warned about the possibility of widespread travel disruption as Storm Amy looks set to batter the country into the weekend. Schools closed early, ferry sailings have been cancelled and amber weather warnings are in place as Storm Amy sweeps into the UK from the Atlantic with the threat of 100mph winds.
The first named storm of the season has prompted weather warnings throughout Britain for heavy rain and strong winds of up to 95mph. The first named storm of the season has prompted weather warnings throughout Britain for heavy rain and strong winds.
The north and west of Scotland will be worst hit by the storm, with a Met Office amber warning for “damaging winds” in place from 5pm on Friday until 9am Saturday. The north and west of Scotland are expected to be the worst hit, with a Met Office amber warning for damaging winds in place for 5pm on Friday until 9am Saturday.
People living in parts of the Highlands and Western Isles have been warned of a “danger to life” from flying debris, potential power cuts as well as road closures and damage to buildings. People living in parts of the Highlands and Western Isles have been warned of a danger to life from flying debris and of potential power cuts, road closures and damage to buildings.
ScotRail said several railway lines in northern Scotland would close from 6pm on Friday, while speed restrictions will be in place on all other routes from 7pm. Forecasters said the winds could reach 100mph in some exposed parts of western Scotland, particularly around Tiree, western Lochaber and Skye. Gusts of 60-70mph will be more widespread.
All of Scotland, the north of England and the most western parts of Wales will also fall under a yellow warning for wind from 3pm on Friday until the start of Sunday. In Northern Ireland, where an amber warning is in place for 3pm-8pm on Friday, schools in the counties of Antrim, Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh were instructed to close at noon.
A long strip of Scotland from Dumfries to the northern-most part of the mainland will also fall under a yellow rain warning from noon on Friday to 3pm on Saturday. Ferry sailings between Scotland and Northern Ireland and a number of Scottish islands were cancelled. They include services between Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway and Larne in Co Antrim, and between Ardrossan on the Scottish mainland and Brodick on the Isle of Arran.
A yellow rain warning is also in place for the north-west of England, including the Lake District, from 3pm until midnight. The RNLI said the strong gusts “pose a significant risk to safety” and appealed for people to “exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts, piers and waterside paths”.
In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for wind is in place from 2pm on Friday until noon on Saturday. The approaching storm has led to a number of event cancellations, including Friday evening’s United Rugby Championship match between Edinburgh and Ulster at Hive Stadium.
The Met Office said gusts up to 70mph would be felt fairly widely while more exposed areas could experience winds of up to 95mph along with spells of heavy rain across the country. Edinburgh’s managing director, Douglas Struth, said: “We were set to welcome a capacity crowd for tonight’s game. This decision has not been taken lightly.”
The forecaster said: “Storm Amy is expected to bring a spell of strong winds to many parts of northern and western Britain later on Friday and overnight into Saturday. In Southend-on-Sea in Essex, Saturday’s annual Apple Day at St Laurence orchard was cancelled.
“South to south-westerly winds will increase during Friday, initially in the west before extending eastwards during Friday night. Gusts of 50-60mph are likely in many areas, and may reach 60-70mph in more exposed parts. ScotRail said several railway lines in northern Scotland would close from 6pm on Friday and speed restrictions would be in place on all other routes from 7pm.
“The strongest winds are most likely across portions of northern and western Scotland, where gusts in excess of 90 mph are possible – this is covered by a separate amber warning for the Friday night period.” All of Scotland, the north of England and the most western parts of Wales will fall under a yellow warning for wind from 3pm on Friday until the start of Sunday.
The Met Office warned of difficult driving conditions at the weekend, especially for high-sided vehicles. A long strip of Scotland from Dumfries to the northernmost part of the mainland will fall under a yellow rain warning from noon on Friday to 3pm on Saturday.
It added: “Winds will ease for most parts through Saturday afternoon, but will continue to be very strong for the Northern Isles and parts of the far north of Scotland through to the end of Saturday, before slowly easing overnight.”
Scotland’s transport secretary, Fiona Hyslop, urged people to check conditions before travelling. She said: “Motorists will face difficult driving conditions, so it’s vital people plan ahead if they have to travel to see if their route is impacted by the weather.
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A yellow rain warning is in place for the north-west of England, including the Lake District, for 3pm until midnight. In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for wind is in place for 2pm on Friday until noon on Saturday.
The Met Office warned of difficult driving conditions over the weekend, especially for high-sided vehicles.
It added: “Winds will ease for most parts through Saturday afternoon but will continue to be very strong for the Northern Isles and parts of the far north of Scotland through to the end of Saturday, before slowly easing overnight.”
Scotland’s transport secretary, Fiona Hyslop, urged people to check conditions before travelling. She said: “Motorists will face difficult driving conditions, so it’s vital people plan ahead if they have to travel to see if their route is impacted by the weather.
“Travellers should check the latest information before they set off, drive to the conditions and follow Police Scotland travel advice.”“Travellers should check the latest information before they set off, drive to the conditions and follow Police Scotland travel advice.”
ScotRail is advising customers to plan ahead and check their journeys before travelling on Friday. It said some lines would close from 6pm on Friday, with no replacement transport.
The affected routes are Mallaig to Fort William; Fort William to Crianlarich; Inverness to Aberdeen; Inverness to Wick/Thurso; Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh; and Perth to Inverness.
It said that on all other routes, speed restrictions would be introduced from 7pm until the end of service to ensure the safety of customers and staff.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail’s service delivery director, said: “Safety is always our top priority, and we’re working closely with our colleagues at Network Rail to keep people moving where it’s safe to do so.
“The Met Office amber warning for high winds during Storm Amy means that some routes will have to close, and speed restrictions will be in place across Scotland’s Railway. We know how frustrating disruption can be, but these measures are essential to protect our customers and staff.”
The train operator anticipates that some disruption to services will extend into Saturday, and possibly Sunday, while Network Rail carries out safety checks for obstructions on the line and damage to any infrastructure.
Police urged motorists to drive carefully. Ch Supt Scott McCarren, Police Scotland’s head of road policing, said: “I would encourage people to drive to the conditions and be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.Police urged motorists to drive carefully. Ch Supt Scott McCarren, Police Scotland’s head of road policing, said: “I would encourage people to drive to the conditions and be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
“Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.”“Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.”