Storm Isha to batter entire UK with wind, rain in ‘rare’ cycle

Storm Isha is set to batter “everybody” in the United Kingdom with wind and rain during a “rare” weather cycle, forecasters say, reported German news agency (dpa).

Winds of up to 80 miles per hour (129 kilometres per hour) will swoop in later on Sunday, potentially causing power cuts and loss of mobile phone signal, while roads and bridges are likely to be shut and transport services could face delays and cancellations in some areas.

Nearly four inches (10 centimetres) of rain could fall over a few hours in some regions and cause localised flooding, with eight flood warnings already in place across England.

Met Office Forecaster Ellie Glaisyer told the PA news agency: “The main thing about this storm is that it is very widespread across the whole of the UK.

“Quite often we see storms affecting the north west or the southern half of the UK, whereas this one, later on Sunday and into Monday, the whole of the UK is covered by a warning, which is relatively rare.

“In that nature, it’s a very widespread storm and it’s going to be affecting everybody. Heavy rain will affect everybody, those strong winds will affect everybody.

“That’s the main difference to previous storms we have seen.”

The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings for wind for northern and western England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland from Sunday into Monday.

Another one will come in across parts of Sussex and Kent during Monday morning.

Forecasters said there was a risk to life in coastal areas from large waves and debris being blown inland, as well as damage to buildings. Yellow warnings for wind and rain will also come into force covering the rest of the UK over the two days – meaning flooding is likely.

They tell Britons to expect travel disruption, damage to buildings and flying debris, as southwesterly winds of up to 80 mph could hit exposed coasts and there could be gusts of up to 60 mph inland.