The first storm of the season has been named as parts of the UK are set to be battered by strong winds and rain on Sunday and Monday (October 20 and 21).

Met Éireann (the Irish Met service) revealed on Friday (October 19) that Storm Ashely, the first of the season, had been named.

Storm Ashley will initially impact Ireland before reaching the UK early on Sunday morning.

Amber and yellow weather warnings have been issued for parts of the UK including the Scottish Highlands (amber), Cumbria (yellow) and North Wales (yellow) which will be in place from as early as 3am on Sunday.

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 some disruption across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northwest England and West Wales.

“A period of especially strong winds are expected on Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland, where gusts could potentially reach 70-80mph in exposed areas, and more generally 50-60mph in other parts of the warning area.

"These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides, may cause some disruption. 

"It is important that people stay up to date with the latest forecast and our warnings.” 

Amber and yellow weather warnings issued amid Storm Ashley

Amber and yellow weather warnings have been issued for Sunday and Monday, for various parts of the UK due to Storm Ashley.

The Met Office has warned the strong winds and rain could cause:

  • Power cuts and disruptions to other service (such as mobile phone coverage)
  • Damage to buildings (such as tiles blown from roofs)
  • Longer travel times and cancellations, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected
  • Roads and bridge closures
  • Injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties

The weather warnings will be in place across Scotland, Northern Ireland, north west England as well as north and west Wales.

What different Met Office warnings mean

To see the full list of places affected visit the Met Office website.

Storm names for 2024/25

If you are wondering what the other storm names are for the 2024/25 season, here is the full list:

  • Ashley
  • Bert
  • Conall
  • Darragh
  • Eowyn
  • Floris
  • Gerben
  • Hugo
  • Izzy
  • James
  • Kayleigh
  • Lewis
  • Mavis
  • Naoise
  • Otje
  • Poppy
  • Rafi
  • Sayuri
  • Tilly
  • Vivienne
  • Wren

James, Lewis and Mavis are all included in the new list in honour of figures from the Met Office’s 170-year history.

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The Met Office said James is named after Group Captain James Stagg, who was the chief meteorologist responsible for advising General Dwight Eisenhower on the weather forecast for the D-Day landings.

Lewis is included because of Lewis Fry Richardson, who devised a theory to use maths and physics to make weather forecasts using computers.

While Mavis is named after Mavis Hinds, who worked on the earliest Met Office computers.