Met Éireann has named a deep area of low pressure, Storm Ashley, which is expected to impact the Republic of Ireland and parts of the UK this Sunday and Monday. The storm, initially affecting Ireland, is set to move northeastwards, reaching the UK early on Sunday morning, bringing heavy winds and rain.
Severe Weather Warnings
The Met Office has issued Yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for wind, effective from 3am on Sunday until midday on Monday. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wisson said: “Storm Ashley will bring strong winds for most of the UK on Sunday before it clears on Monday, with a chance of disruption across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northwest England, and West Wales.
“A period of especially strong winds is expected on Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland, where gusts could potentially reach 70-80mph in exposed areas, with more general gusts of 50-60mph in other parts of the warning area. These strong winds, combined with high spring tides, may cause some disruption.”
Wisson also urged the public to stay updated with the latest forecasts and warnings as the storm approaches.
Travel Disruption Expected
Ashleigh Robson, Head of Transport Resilience at Transport Scotland, warned of widespread travel disruption on Sunday and Monday. “Storm Ashley is set to bring widespread disruption for travel, especially with some families off enjoying the October school holidays. We advise people to pay close attention to any cross-border travel updates,” she said.
“The Multi-Agency Team will be monitoring the network and advising the public over the weekend as the storm impacts Scotland. Strong winds may pose particular challenges for HGVs, and debris or fallen trees on roads is likely. The forecasted rain could also lead to difficult driving conditions and localised flooding.”
Robson also noted that ferry services, rail services, and flights could face disruptions. She urged passengers to check with their transport operators for the latest updates. “The decision to cancel services is never taken lightly, but passenger safety is our priority. Please plan ahead.”
For road network updates, visit Traffic Scotland.
Forecast and Outlook
Storm Ashley is expected to pull away to the east on Monday, leaving behind a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Next week’s weather remains unsettled, with the possibility of longer spells of rain in some areas.
For the latest weather updates, you can check the Met Office website, YouTube, or follow them on X and Facebook. The Met Office mobile app is also available for both iPhone and Android users.
Storm Naming
Storm Ashley is part of a collaborative storm-naming effort by the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands, who work together as the western storm-naming group. The names are compiled jointly by Met Éireann, the Met Office, and the Dutch national weather service (KNMI). For more information on storm naming in the UK, visit the Met Office website.
